Children today spend greater time with their gadgets than doing some outdoor activities. Limited physical activity results in poor metabolism and fat accumulation that results in your child getting overweight. But this is not okay for your child in the long run as it can cause serious health issues and affect their lives.
Here are a few tips to start with:
Set a goal
It is advisable to consult a paediatrician. It’s okay for kids to gain weight as they are in a growing stage. A doctor will help you to set a weight goal as per their height and metabolism. This will give you a more realistic goal before you start working on reducing your child’s weight.
No dieting
Don’t put your child on a major calorie cutting plan. Kids need the right proportion of food and the right nutrients for their growth.
Be a role model
Parents can instill good habit of exercising regularly in their kids by going for a walk or run along with them. Enrol them in swimming classes or encourage them to take part in other sports activity. Start with a shorter goal like 10 minutes of exercise. This will keep them motivated.
Avoid junk food
Junk food is tastier than healthy food but is more dangerous for the health. So, children get tempted to eat junk food. Avoid taking kids to restaurants more often. Once in a while if your kids want to eat junk food like pizzas or burgers, prepare them hygienically at home and use healthy substitutes to prepare these dishes. It will keep their temptations at bay.
Get good sleep
Kids these days are having sleepless nights because they increasingly spend more time playing video games on mobiles. This also drains their brain and they are completely exhausted during the daytime in schools. This can seriously affect their education. Limit their time for activities that can disturb their sleep pattern and affect their eyes. Remove all gadgets from the bedroom during night time so that they can sleep in peace.
Motivate
Often there is a decrease in confidence levels of kids after getting overweight. They need constant support instead of reprimanding them. Involve other family members to keep them motivated.
Track their progress
Setting the goals isn’t sufficient to reduce the weight of your child. You have to constantly monitor his/her weight. Also, stay in touch with a paediatrician to report any extra pounds gained or lost and getting the right advice through the journey. It will take time but will ensure a better present and future of your kid.