Take childhood obesity seriously
The problem of obesity in children is one of the most common problems. Overweight and obesity is one of the health-nutrition problems in the world and in Iran. The number of overweight and obese people is increasing in both developed and developing countries, including Iran. This problem is seen more quickly in children and adolescents.
42 million children under the age of five in the world are overweight and obese. The causes of overweight and obesity in children are different.
Obesity is a serious problem in children
Obesity in children means having too much body fat, which is different from being overweight, which means being overweight. Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents, and this is when the child’s weight is higher than normal due to his age.
The fatter they are in childhood, the more obese they become in adulthood. Obesity in children is important in that it leads to diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol in adulthood, and in childhood can lead to depression and low self-esteem.
Prevent child obesity by following the principles of proper nutrition
Feeding in children 2 to 3 years
Children 2 to 3 years old should get 35% of their body calories from 30% and 3 years old should get 30% of their calories. These fats should not be the wrong type of fat and you should avoid eating saturated fats. Increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables but limit the consumption of fruit juices. At least half of the grains eaten are whole grains. Consume sugary fizzy drinks very limited.
Use fat-free or low-fat dairy products after the age of two. But before the age of two, the baby needs milk fat to develop the nervous system. Fats are an important part of a healthy diet and the body uses them to build nerve tissue (including the brain and nerves) and hormones. Fat gives food its flavor, but it is high in calories, and too much of it can cause many health problems.
Children 2 to 3 years old need 100 calories a day, which can consume two glasses of milk, 58 grams of meat or beans, a cup of fruit, a cup of vegetables, 84 grams of cereals per day.
Feeding in girls 4 to 8 years
Girls between the ages of 4 and 8 need 1,400 calories a day, which should include two cups of milk, 84 grams of beans, 1.5 cups of lean meat or fruit, one cup of vegetables, and 112 grams of whole grains.
Feeding in boys 4 to 8 years
Boys between the ages of 4 and 8 need 1,400 calories a day, which should include two cups of milk, 112 grams of meat or beans, 1.5 cups of fruit, 1.5 cups of vegetables, and 140 grams of grains.
Feeding in girls 9 to 13 years
Girls between the ages of 9 and 13 need 1,600 calories a day, which should include 3 cups of milk, 140 grams of meat or beans, 1.5 cups of fruit, 2 cups of vegetables, and 140 grams of whole grains.
Nutrition in boys 9 to 13 years
Boys aged 9 to 13 need 1,800 calories a day, which should include 3 cups of milk, 140 grams of meat or beans, 1.5 cups of fruit, 2.5 cups of vegetables, and 168 grams of whole grains.
Feeding in girls 14 to 18 years
Girls between the ages of 14 and 18 need 1,800 calories a day to eat 3 cups of milk, 140 grams of meat or beans, 1.5 cups of fruit, 2.5 cups of vegetables, and 168 grams of whole grains.
Feeding in boys 14 to 18 years
Tray boys 14 to 18 years old need 2200 calories a day, which should consume 3 cups of milk, 168 grams of meat or beans, 2 cups of fruits, 3 cups of vegetables, 196 grams of cereals.
Treatment of obesity in children with proper nutrition
Treatment of obesity in children
Overweight children often have psychosocial problems that can be helped in addition to nutritional counseling with psychotherapy. They must first receive behavioral therapy and then change the child’s thoughts and feelings about himself, his body, and his attitude towards food. This treatment is relatively short. Family therapy helps children whose nutrition is related to emotional reasons. In this method, a strategy is considered to reduce conflict, disorder, and stress (which are the factors that stimulate eating).
A few tips to prevent obesity in children
Your child should have 60 minutes of physical activity a day, which can be done in several stages a day. Make sure your child eats breakfast every day. Buy high-calorie foods and soft drinks. Give your child more fruits and vegetables. Do not use food as a reward. Eat less fast food often.
Additional tips for kids of all ages
In children up to 1-year-old; Breastfeeding may help prevent overweight.
At the age of 1 to 5, start good habits first. Encourage children to focus on healthy foods.
Between the ages of 6 and 12, encourage children to be physically active every day. Activities such as walking, playing in the yard, participating in sports teams, playing school bells, playing football.
Between the ages of 13 and 18, kids love fast food. Lead them to healthy foods (grilled chicken sandwiches and salads). Teach them how to eat healthy meals and snacks and encourage them to be active.
At all ages, teach them to reduce their use of television, computers, and video games, and encourage them to eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, limit sugary drinks, and eat breakfast every day.
Weight loss surgery
Weight loss surgery can be a safe and effective option for severely obese adolescents who are unable to lose weight using conventional methods. However, any type of surgery has potential risks and long-term complications. Weight loss surgery is uncommon in adolescents, but if a child’s weight threatens his or her health, the doctor may recommend surgery and need to consult a medical team before the operation, including a pediatrician, pediatric endocrinologist, and nutritionist. And the surgeon is nevertheless surgery is not an easy answer for weight loss; Because there is no guarantee that your child will lose weight with surgery.
Treatment of obesity in children
The rope is good for increasing height and losing weight. Treatment for childhood obesity is based on the child’s age and other medical conditions, but usually involves changes in the child’s diet and level of physical activity. In some special cases, it may include medication or surgery.
For children under the age of 7 who have no health problems, the goal of treatment is to maintain weight instead of weight loss. This strategy allows the child to grow in height but not in weight, which is more difficult than losing weight in the elderly.
For children 7 years of age and older, weight loss should be slow and continuous, and this weight loss is about half a kilogram per week to half a kilogram per month depending on your child’s condition.
There are several ways to treat childhood obesity
The methods for maintaining your child’s current weight or losing weight are the same. Your child needs a healthy diet and increased physical activity. This success largely depends on your commitment to helping your child change his eating habits. There are parents who buy food and decide what food to cook and what food to give the child.
Small changes in diet can make a big difference in your child’s health. Choose fruits and vegetables when shopping for groceries. High-sugar foods (cookies, crackers, and ready-to-eat foods) are often high in sugar and fat. Never use food as a reward or punishment. Do not give sugary drinks to your child, families eat together, limit the number of times you eat in restaurants because their menu is high in fat and calories.
An important part of losing weight in children is your child’s physical activity. This activity not only burns calories but also helps your baby have strong muscles and bones and sleep well at night. Limit watching TV and computers to 2 hours a day to increase activity.
Restrict computer, video, or talking on the phone. Do not allow the child to watch an electronic screen while eating. The rope is a good exercise for burning calories. Let the child choose the type of activity. What matters is that your child is doing something active.
