HELPING YOUR OVERWEIGHT CHILD

by Dr. Pamela A. Popper

If your child is overweight, what should you do? Parents are realizing that ignoring the issue is inappropriate (they would not ignore any other health issue that threatened their child's future). Yet they are often concerned that drawing attention to the issue will cause the child to develop an eating disorder.

Eating disorders generally do not develop because parents educate their children about healthy diet and lifestyle habits, or teach them about optimal weight and health. Eating disorders are complicated conditions (I'll provide more information on them in future newsletters) that often develop in response to adverse circumstances, such as dysfunctional family life or poor relationships and are often accompanied by other mental or emotional disorders such as depression and anxiety. Additionally, they can be triggered through an abnormal focus on weight and appearance. An example would be a parent who encourages an adolescent to starve in order to promote a modeling career.

Assuming that you are simply interested in helping your overweight child to achieve optimal weight and body composition, what is the best way to begin? The best approach is for the entire family to adopt a program of dietary excellence and optimal habits, rather than singling out your overweight child to consume a diet and participate in an exercise program that is different from other family members. The fact that you or other family members have not developed a weight problem is irrelevant. The research is clear that eventually health issues develop when less than optimal habits are practiced, which certainly justifies the whole family making positive changes.

So, start by learning about dietary excellence and optimal habits. The Wellness Forum's Wellness 101 program is a great way to do this - you'll learn about what the reliable scientific research shows is a healthy diet for humans, as well as the basic skills needed to make and stick with healthy habits. Then begin implementing these concepts in your household. Where children are concerned, you may need to gain some control over food consumed outside of the house - packing your child's lunch, providing after-school snacks, etc.

Set an example where exercise is concerned - if your child is not exercising or not engaged in enough activity, lead by example. Seek some activities that you might do together, such as running, fitness boxing, or aerobic classes. Make sure your level of activity is appropriate (45-60 minutes 5-6 times per week) before you start approaching your child to increase his/hers.

Over time, make optimal diet and lifestyle part of your family's culture. Pick appropriate times to discuss the impact of a healthy diet and lifestyle, as well as the impact of weight, on health status. Although you do not want to lecture your children about these issues, the way other things have become part of your family's culture (issues ranging from manners to religious beliefs) is by paying attention to them consistently.

Don't use food as punishment or reward, and don't completely eliminate desserts and other "bad" foods from the diet. Establish the difference between food and a treat, and allow treats when appropriate. There is nothing wrong with birthday cake at a birthday party, or dessert after a special meal or celebration, but these foods should not be part of the daily fare.

In addition to diet and exercise, look at other aspects of your child's life that may be causing him or her to be overweight. Is he getting enough sleep? Studies show that sleep deprivation causes both increases in appetite and increased creation and storing of fat. Is your child eating because he is depressed or stressed? Determine why and address those issues too.

Do not expect overnight results, since systemic changes in your household take time to implement and stick. If approached properly, most children will develop a healthy attitude about diet, lifestyle, and health, and track into adulthood with the tools necessary to make good choices.

Article printed with permission from Dr. Pamela A. Popper and taken from Newsletters Vol 6 Issue 12 March 24, 2008. Dr. Popper is the founder and Executive Director of The Wellness Forum, a chain of health and wellness centers located throughout the United States and the Far East.