What if my child is overweight?

Children who are overweight are more likely to become overweight adults. They may develop type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and other illnesses that can follow them into adulthood. Overweight in children can also lead to stress, sadness, and low self-esteem.

Because children grow at different rates at different times, it's not always easy to tell if a child is overweight. For example, it is normal for boys to have a growth spurt in weight and catch up in height later. Your health care provider can measure your child's height and weight and tell you if your child is in a healthy range for his or her gender and age. If your provider finds that your child is overweight, you can help.

How can I help my overweight child?

• Do not put your child on a weight-loss diet unless your health care provider tells you to. Limiting what children eat may interfere with their growth.

• Involve the whole family in building healthy eating and physical activity habits. It benefits everyone and does not single out the child who is overweight.

• Accept and love your child at any weight. It will boost his or her self-esteem.

• Help your child find ways other than food to handle setbacks or successes.

• Talk with your health care provider if you are concerned about your child's eating habits or weight.

Remember, you play the biggest role in your child's life. You can help your children learn healthy eating and physical activity habits that they can follow for the rest of their lives.

Tips for Parents

• Make sure your child eats breakfast. Breakfast provides children with the energy they need to listen and learn in school.

• Offer your child a wide variety of foods, such as grains, vegetables and fruits, low-fat dairy products, and lean meat or beans.

• Talk with your health care provider if you are concerned about your child's eating habits or weight.

• Cook with less fat—bake, roast, or poach foods instead of frying.

• Limit the amount of added sugar in your child's diet. Serve water or low-fat milk more often than sugar-sweetened sodas and fruit-flavored drinks.

• Involve your child in planning and preparing meals. Children may be more willing to eat the dishes they help fix.

• Be a role model for your children. If they see you being physically active and having fun, they are more likely to be active and stay active throughout their lives.

• Encourage your child to be active everyday.

• Involve the whole family in activities like hiking, biking, dancing, basketball, or roller skating.

Additional Reading

Dietary Guidelines for Americans. U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2000. Phone: 1-888-878-3256.

Dietz, W. and Stern, L. Guide to Your Child's Nutrition. American Academy of Pediatrics, 1999. Phone: 1-888-227-1770.

D'Amico, J., Drummond, K.E., and Cash-Walsh, T. The Healthy Body Cookbook: Over 50 Fun Activities and Delicious Recipes for Kids. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1999. Available in bookstores.

Childhood Resources

The American Academy of Pediatrics
141 Northwest Point Boulevard
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007-1098
Phone: (847) 434-4000 or 1-888-227-1770
www.aap.org/family

The American Dietetic Association
216 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Phone: (312) 899-0040 or 1-800-366-1655
www.eatright.org

National Eating Disorders Association
603 Stewart Street, Suite 803
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: (206) 382-3587 or 1-800-931-2237
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/p.asp?WebPage_ID=337

Food and Nutrition Information Center
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research Service
National Agricultural Library, Room 105
10301 Baltimore Avenue
Beltsville, MD 20705-2351
Phone: (301) 504-5719
www.nal.usda.gov/fnic

International Food Information Council
1100 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Suite 430
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 296-6540
www.ific.org

The National Network for Child Care
www.nncc.org

President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
Department W
200 Independence Ave., SW
Room 738-H
Washington, DC 20201-0004
Phone: (202) 690-9000
www.fitness.gov

Weight-control Information Network
1 WIN WAY
Bethesda, MD 20892-3665
Phone: (202) 828-1025
FAX: (202) 828-1028
Toll-free number: 1-877-946-4627
Email: WIN@info.niddk.nih.gov
Internet: www.niddk.nih.gov/health/nutrit/nutrit.htm

Recommend books:

Credits: The Weight-control Information Network (WIN)

This article has informational purpose and  isn't a substitute for professional advice.

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