Here's How to Overcome Obesity in Children

The number of children with obesity has increased every year, especially children aged 5-12 years. However, not only in Indonesia, in other countries also found many children who are overweight.

In fact, WHO states there are about 1 billion cases of obesity worldwide and 39 million sufferers are children.

Obesity in childhood has the potential to cause various disorders, such as sleep apnea, impaired bone development, or psychosocial problems. Obesity in children is also associated with obesity as an adult which has the potential to cause diabetes and heart disease.

Handling Obesity in Children

Treatment of obesity depends on age and the presence or absence of medical conditions suffered by the child. Considering that children are still growing and developing, the diet for obese children is a diet with balanced nutrition according to their needs.

The target for weight loss in obese children is very minimal, which is only 0.5–2 kg per month or enough to be maintained so that it does not increase because the growth process is still ongoing.

The pediatrician will evaluate the cause of obesity, food intake, and activity of the child. The principle of handling obesity in children is to regulate nutritional intake and increase children's physical activity.

Dietary Regulations for Obese Children

Parents can consult a doctor to determine the food intake according to the child's needs. Teach them to recognize hunger and satiety, and don't force children to continue eating when they are full.

In addition to teaching children to recognize hunger and satiety, limiting calorie intake can be done by reducing fat and carbohydrate intake and increasing fiber and water intake. At least, children are advised to consume 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day, accompanied by drinking lots of water.

The following are some tips that parents can apply to limit food intake in obese children:

• Make sure your child eats regularly 3 times a day with snacks 1-2 times per day. Snacks in question include apples, oranges, or pears.
• Avoid high-calorie fruits, such as mango or durian.
• Teach children to drink only water and keep children away from soft drinks or flavored milk.
• Make sure your child does not eat while playing or watching television.
• Avoid giving food as a reward when your child succeeds in something.
• Avoid giving fast food or sweet foods.
• Limit milk intake to 500 ml/day for children older than 2 years and replace full cream milk with skim or low-fat milk.
• Get children used to breakfast. Research shows children who do not eat breakfast have a 43% higher risk of becoming obese.

Regulation of Physical Activity in Children with Obesity

To lose weight, obese children are advised to do physical activity for 1 hour every day. Mothers and fathers can start trying to get their children to walk or bike around the house. In addition to walking or cycling, children can also jump rope, soccer, basketball, or swimming.

Also reduce activities that are done sitting or lying down, such as watching television and playing gadgets, because these activities are often done for hours every day.

Therefore, limit the amount of screen time to at least 2 hours a day for children over 2 years old and to a minimum for children under 2 years.

Fathers and Mothers are also encouraged to give encouragement and praise for the success or the slightest behavioral change shown by the child. For example, when the child wants to eat a healthy menu and according to the nutrition program from the doctor or when he wants to exercise.

Support from family and people around them is the most important thing in overcoming obesity in children, especially to change children's diet and daily lifestyle.

The condition of obesity in children is not something that can be underestimated. If the various methods above have not been effective to overcome the obesity condition experienced by the Little One, Father and Mother can take him to the doctor to undergo an examination and get the right treatment.