It is not always easy to identify an obese child since children grow at different rates. So even though your toddler may seem a little plump than his peers, it does not automatically mean he is overweight. The best way to determine this is by consulting with his doctor. The doctor will calculate your toddler’s BMI (Body Mass Index) to check if his weight is proportional to his height. Your toddler will be ranked in percentiles. If he is in the 95th percentile (BMI is higher than that of 95 percent of children his age and gender), he is obese. Here are some ways you can help your toddler slim down and improve his weight.
Know The Causes
The first step to helping your obese child is to determine the causes of obesity. This condition is often caused by:
- Poor diet
- Eating too much foods with high-calorie content (e.g. sweets, chips, sodas)
- Health problems
- Minimal physical play
Seek Expert Help
Next, consult your toddler’s pediatrician for information on a smart approach to weight loss. The doctor is familiar with your toddler’s development and can gauge the seriousness of the condition. Usually, the doctor will not recommend a diet for children, but rather a healthier eating habit and increased physical activity.
Get The Whole Family Involved
The most effective way to help your toddler lose weight is by being healthy yourself. Do not expect your toddler to eat healthy if he sees mommy, daddy and his siblings binge on junk food. Set a fixed meal time and only eat in the kitchen or dining room without any distractions like the TV. Serve your family the same food you prepared for your toddler. If he sees everyone eating vegetables, he will be more willing to try it. Getting fit as a unit will not make your toddler feel singled out.
Encourage Exercise
Limit TV, computer and gaming time. Your toddler does not have to go to the gym, exercising should be a fun activity for your child. It can be as simple as playing active games inside and outside your home like hide and seek, tag or catch the ball. Take a walk together. Go biking. Let him play on the playground. Visit the park. Assign him a chore like sweeping the floor, mopping or dusting. Enroll him in a sports class. These activities may be simple, but they burn a lot of calories.
Cook At Home
Limit dining out. Restaurants, especially fast food chains tend to serve foods high in calories and fat. Prepare healthy home-cooked meals such as grilled chicken, fish sticks and cooked vegetables, Chinese chicken salad or tofu. Offer nutritious desserts like fresh fruit salad or yogurt. Cooking at home is also a great way to get your toddler involved with the food preparation which will serve as his lesson on healthy eating.
Do Not Ban Junks Entirely
There is no individual that does not love eating “sinful foods”, especially toddlers. Having a no sweets and junks rule is a temptation for cravings and overeating. Supervise his snacking instead by replacing cookies and chips with healthy options like low-fat cheese, pudding, yogurt, fresh fruits and vegetables. Substitute juice and soda with water, fresh fruit juice and low-fat milk. Once in a while, allow him to eat ice cream or chocolates, but make sure you keep a close eye on him.
Finally, be supportive and provide a lot of encouragement. This will not be a quick and easy journey for your toddler, but it can be done with your help.
