The reality of my child's weight problem hit us both during a recent trip to the doctor. She has always been a chubby child, but in the last year she has gained 38 pounds. Too much
fast food, too many sweets, too many hours in front of the TV, and not enough vigorous exercise caught up with her when we saw that the BMI (Body Mass Index) chart indicated childhood obesity. You can
calculate your child's BMI online.
She is handling it well, and together we have set out to tackle the problem. We joined a fitness center where we will attend classes and work out on the fitness machines together, incorporating
mild strength training
and cardiovascular exercise. We have an appointment with a nutritionist and have begun to reduce the sweets in our diet. Of course, I had to research the topic on the Internet, and you can see what I found below. I learned several helpful principles in my research that apply directly to my family. Take a look at the articles and links to find the right intervention strategies for your child.
What I Learned:
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NO restrictive or fad diets!
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Fun and vigorous exercise that involves the whole family should be our first line of attack.
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We have a lot to learn about good nutrition and trying new nutritious snacks.
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Behavioral programs that provide positive motivation and education really do work.
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A busy life is not an excuse for me to put family meals low on the list of priorities.
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