Children aren’t just little adults, even big or overweight children.
So, it shouldn’t be surprising that obesity treatments might be different for children.
Childhood Obesity Treatments
Most people know, even if they can’t get motivated to follow, basic treatments for obesity. They include eating and drinking fewer calories and being more active.
How are these treatments different for kids?
Kids are still growing, so calories shouldn’t usually be overly restricted. So we more often talk about healthy diets instead of dieting.
Remember that the goal for overweight and obese children and teens is to reduce the rate of weight gain while allowing normal growth and development.
CDC Tips for Parents – Ideas to Help Children Maintain a Healthy Weight
Treating Hard to Control Obesity
What do you do if your child continues to gain too much weight or just can’t seem to lose any weight despite trying?
Ask yourself these questions and bring the answers to your pediatrician:
- Are other family members overweight?
- Is your child physically active for at least one hour a day?
- Does your child drink non-diet soda, fruit juice, or sweet tea each day?
- How much milk and water does your child drink each day?
- Do you eat out with your child one or more times each week?
- Does your child get more than one to two hours of screen time each day?
- Does your child have a TV and/or computer in their room?
- Does your child frequently eat meals and snacks while watching TV?
- How many fruits and vegetables does your child eat each day?
- Do your child’s portion sizes at meal times resemble an adult portion size?
- Does your child frequently get seconds at meal times?
- What does your child eat at snack times?
- How many snacks does your child eat each day?
- How often does your family eat dinner together?
- Are you waiting for your child to “grow into” his weight?
- If physically active, what activities does your child do?
- Do you know about how many calories your child should be getting each day?
- Are you expecting a quick fix and for your child to lose weight quickly?
And perhaps most importantly, do you know why your child is overweight? If you don’t, or if you don’t really believe that he or she is overweight, then you will have a hard time helping get to a healthier weight.
A registered dietician can help teach you and your child more about healthy eating.
What To Know About Treating Hard to Control Obesity
Getting to a healthy weight is rarely easy, but there is help for kids who are overweight and with hard to control obesity.
For More Information About Treating Hard to Control Obesity
- Weight Loss Help for Kids Who Can’t Lose Weight
- How Can You Calculate Your Child’s BMI?
- Calorie Calculator for Kids
- CDC – Tips for Parents – Ideas to Help Children Maintain a Healthy Weight
- CDC – Childhood Obesity Causes & Consequences
- CDC – Childhood Obesity Facts
- AAP – Food and TV: Not a Healthy Mix
- How to Talk to Kids about Weight and Obesity
- Why Is My Child Overweight?
- AAP – Childhood Obesity: Common Misconceptions
- AAP – Common Weight Loss Challenges
- NIH – Healthy Weight Basics
- AAP – Managing Setbacks and Detours
- AAP – Your Changing Role: Helping Your Overweight Teen
- Forget Low-Fat and Low-Sugar, Concentrate on a Healthy Eating Pattern
- AAP – Healthy Eating for a Healthy Weight
- Cochrane – Treating obesity in children
- Let’s Move
Last Updated on December 4, 2016 by Vincent Iannelli, MD
