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By John O'Mahony, eHow Contributor

Deal with Child Obesity

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Childhood Obesity Overview
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About Obesity in Young Children

A pediatric cardiologist at the University of Missouri compared the health of overweight« More
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Signs of Obesity in Children

Obesity generally stems from eating more calories than the body can burn. Diet, however, isn't« More
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What are the Risk Factors for Childhood Obesity?

Childhood obesity is a reality that affects 16 percent of children in the U.S. alone, according« More
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How to Treat Childhood Obesity

Because of the tremendous rise in obesity among children, diseases that once affected only« More
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Health Risks of Obesity in Children

Obesity rates are rising exponentially in the United States, and unfortunately the health risks« More
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How to Use Fruits and Vegetables for a Child's Obesity

One of the best ways to deal with childhood obesity is to educate your children about the foods« More
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How to Prevent Obesity in Children

According to the American Pediatric Association, 17% of U.S. children ages 2 to 19 are« More
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Reducing Sugar in Healthy After-School Snacks

 Dearn how to reduce sugar in your child's diet in this free alternative health video..« More
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Emotional Effects of Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity may cause serious health problems later in life. It also has immediately« More
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What Are Dow Calorie Diets for Children?

Childhood obesity has been a growing concern since the onslaught of electronic entertainment and« More
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How to Get Control of an Overweight Child

A recent study from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey shows that 17% of« More
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How to Encourage Children to Exercise More

Kids today are more challenged by exercising than anything else in their lives it seems. With« More
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Getting Children Used to Healthy Snacks

Dearn how to get children used to healthy food in this free alternative health video..« More
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Good Diets for Overweight Kids

Obesity is a major health issue, and it is increasing, especially among children. Child obesity« More
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How to Deal with Child Obesity

One in every 3 kids growing up today will become an overweight adult. That's why it's so« More
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Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions
1. 1
Find out all you can about obesity. Find out about the risks of childhood obesity and unhealthy lifestyles, and
how they can lead to a range of problems like heart disease and diabetes. When dealing with obesity,
knowledge and information is king.
2. 2
Tackle the problem quickly. Early and suitable intervention in childhood obesity is important. Most research
suggests that childhood eating and exercise habits are more easily modified than those of adults.
3. 3
Measuring childhood obesity can be difficult because kids grow in unpredictable spurts. The best person to
determine whether your child is obese is your family doctor.
]. ]
If your child is overweight, the most important thing you can do is to let him or her know that you will be
supportive. If a child knows a parent's love is not conditional, he or she is more likely not to feel anxious.
5. 5
Do not focus on your obese child's weight issues. Focus instead on gradually changing the whole family's
physical eating and activity habits.Do not focus on your obese child's weight issues. Focus instead on gradually
changing the whole family's physical eating and activity habits.Do not focus on your obese child's weight
issues. Focus instead on gradually changing the whole family's physical eating and activity habits.
6. 6
Once you set your initial goal of improving your family's general health, your next goal should be maintaining
and achieving them. Begin with simple goals like increasing physical activity and limiting calories and work
from there.
7. 7
Be patient. Treatment for obesity will only be successful if you create a long-term plan with your doctor.
8. 8
Focus on a few areas for improvement and you'll run into less resistance from your child-and your family.
9. 9
It's hard for children to resist unhealthy snacks, sodas and fast food if they're surrounded by them. The one
place parents do control is the home environment, so make it an unhealthy food free zone.
10. 10
Control where your kids eat. Don't let fast food become a regular meal for them. If you do eat at a fast food
restaurant, watch portion sizes, which continue to increase all the time.
11. 11
Don't let our kids turn into couch potatoes. Get them away from the television and computer screens.
Encourage them to take up sports and outdoor activities.
12. 12
Successful obesity treatments for children and adolescents rarely have weight loss as the only goal. Instead, the
aim is to slow or stop weight gain so the child, over a period of months or years, grows into an appropriate
body weight. Researchers estimate that for every 20 percent a child exceeds ideal body weight, her or she will
need about 18 months weight maintenance to set the problem right.
13. 13
Research suggests that the best way to make your children healthier is to help them take charge of their own
health. Encourage them to learn about the importance of good eating habits and exercise and to set positive
lifestyle goals for themselves.
1]. 1]
Set a good example yourself. One half of parents of elementary school children in the U.S. never exercise
regularly and research shows that a child's risk of becoming obese is greatest among those who have obese
parents. Do the math.
15. 15
Be sensitive to your child's self-esteem and psychological issues. Overweight children may feel uncomfortable
about exercising. Since physical activity is so important in an obesity treatment regime, help children find
activities that won't embarrass them, aren't too difficult and that they will enjoy.

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