What Can I do if My Child is Overweight?

Are you worried about your child being overweight? Read on to learn some tips for encouraging fitness and healthy living in children.Weight management is not as easy as it sounds. It is extremely difficult for kids nowadays due to so much availability of junk foods and sweets. Hunger is a normal function of human body however excessive hunger or overeating is also not good.Here are tips to follow if your child is overweight: In this articleReduce Indoor Activity and Take Them Out More OftenSubstitute Oil with GheeAvoid Feeding ContinuouslyReduce Oil ConsumptionVideo-Games and Unnecessary Technological AddictionsSet an Example for Your ChildReduce Sugar and SaltReduce Indoor Activity and Take Them Out More OftenSome children are always alone at home with nowhere to go. Sitting in the house all day long is one of the main reasons for calories adding up because being at home without any activity leads to dullness and binge eating. Keep your child busy with various activities so that he or she has no time to think of food and only eats at the correct time.Even at home, children nowadays like to order food from outside which is not good.Substitute Oil with GheeIndians have always included ghee in their diet however only today the world is realizing the benefits of this wonderful product. Pure, homemade ghee is extremely good for health and can be substituted for oil for making food. Now considered to be a great superfood, people are realizing its amazing wonders and health benefits. Not many people know but ghee aids in weight loss as well. However, do not overload or eat too much of it in your meals.Avoid Feeding ContinuouslyIndian mothers tend to force their children to eat all the time to keep them busy so that they do not have time to think about other things. As a mother, keep yourself busy without feeding your children all the time; so your child’s constant dependency on food is reduced.Reduce Oil ConsumptionAs a mother, one should always use less oil while cooking for the entire household. Too much oil, butter and cheese is not good. Prepare food using less oil and ensure that whatever is floating on top is also removed.You can also use tissues to absorb excess oil while feeding your child vadas, bhajiyas, etc. Reduce dependence on outside food and prepare simple, home-cooked food which is delicious and healthy at the same time.Video-Games and Unnecessary Technological AddictionsIf you thought that your child is the only one who is not listening, then you are so wrong. With newer and latest videogames, television shows and mobile phones being launched in the market, your child is going to be tempted beyond imagination.Keep a control on how long your child and how well your kid uses technology. The internet can be used for good purposes like reading however take care and ensure that your child is not distracted by technology or various mobile and game addictions. There should be separate play time which makes physical activity compulsory for kids.Set an Example for Your ChildAlthough obesity runs in the genes at times, parents must also set an example by giving importance to fitness. When you as a parent eat unhealthy food and indulge in over-eating; then your child is going to learn the same thing.Hence, as a mother or doting father, both of you should give importance to being fit and healthy so that your child learns the same and inculcates the same habits.Reduce Sugar and SaltAs we all know, eating sugar is one of the main reasons why children put on weight but you must be wondering how you can deprive somebody’s childhood by not giving chocolates and candies.Yes, it is very difficult to deprive your child of chocolates which is something kids absolutely enjoy but what can you do? If you want your child to be thin and healthy, you have to keep a check and reduce sweets and know that too much salt is also bad for health.It is difficult to constantly keep a tab on what your child is eating. When they go out, they will try to eat due to hunger or peer influence. However, a healthy child is a happy child so incorporate strict fitness regimens and exercise time to both of your schedules along with adequate rest and sleep for effective weight management and weight loss.What are the causes of obesity in children? How to prevent children from becoming overweight? What can parents do to help children maintain a healthy weight? Discuss here.