World Obesity Day is celebrated on March 4 every year to alert the global public to the problem of obesity and its serious impact on health. The 2024 theme, "Let's Talk About Obesity and Our World, Health, Adolescents", has a special focus on obesity in children and adolescents. As a parent, it is important to understand how to prevent and intervene in childhood obesity.
Childhood obesity refers to a state in which a child's body fat accumulates too much beyond a healthy level. The normal weight range for children varies depending on age, gender, and height.
How to judge obesity:
Usually we can calculate body mass index (BMI) = weight (kg) [height (m)]2 by height and weight. to judge:
Parents should be aware of their child's normal weight range and monitor their child's height and weight regularly. If your child weighs more than the 95th percentile of children of the same age, further evaluation may be needed for obesity.
Obesity can lead to a variety of health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, fatty liver disease, and may persist into adulthood, increasing the risk of chronic diseases.
(1) Establish healthy eating habits
Diet is the key to weight control. Here's how parents can help their children develop healthy eating habits:
Provide a nutritionally balanced diet that includes plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Limit your intake of foods high in sugar, fat, and salt. Avoid using food as a reward or punishment. Teach your child to read food labels and understand food ingredients and nutritional value. (2) Take your children to develop an active lifestyle
In addition to diet, exercise is equally important. Here are some steps parents can take to encourage their children to be physically active:
Aim for at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day. Choose a sport that your child is interested in, such as swimming, cycling, or team sports. Participate in sports together in the form of family activities to enhance parent-child interaction and exercise at the same time. Reduce sedentary time and limit the use of TV and electronic devices. (3) Develop good sleep habits
Adequate sleep is essential for a child's healthy growth.
Parents should ensure that their children have a regular sleep schedule and create a suitable sleeping environment.
(4) Give positive emotional support
Mental health is also an important factor in weight loss.
Parents should give their children positive emotional support to help them build self-confidence and self-image. At the same time, educate children to recognize that health is more important than appearance.
(5) Seek professional help
If you think your child's weight is beyond your ability to manage, don't hesitate to seek help from a medical professional or dietitian.
Finally, as parents, we have a responsibility to create an environment that is conducive to the healthy development of our children. With a healthy diet, exercise, sleep, and emotional support, we can effectively prevent and intervene in childhood obesity and help them have a healthier, more active future. Let's work together on every World Obesity Day to help children get rid of obesity!