Baby fat or weight gain: How to tell if your child is overweight

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) August 3, 2008 -- The obesity epidemic continues to dominate headlines, yet many parents downplay weight problems in their children, often assuming excess weight is just "baby fat" that will eventually disappear. Although many children go through a chubby stage, it is important to know when to act on weight concerns. Childhood obesity expert "Grandma" Bev Grey advises parents of overweight children in her article, Baby Fat or Belly Fat: Catching Childhood Weight Problems Early, which is available for download at www.grandmashealthykidsclub.com.

"If you think too much fuss is made over children being overweight, maybe you need to reconsider," says Grey. "Doctors are seeing more overweight children develop Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and other life-threatening conditions at younger and younger ages," says Grey.

"Most kids shed their baby fat by elementary school," she adds. If parents are worried about their child's weight, Grey suggests a visit to the family doctor to help determine body mass index (or BMI) which will determine whether or not the child has a weight problem.

According to Grey, changing unhealthy habits is the key to helping overweight children lose weight and get healthy. "Sometimes good parenting can mean doing things that will be unpopular with your children," says Grey. "However, limiting the amount of time they watch TV or play video games, and replacing the junk foods that they eat with healthy meals and snacks is important."

Grey adds, "Adopting a healthier lifestyle for your kids while they are young will decrease their likelihood of becoming obese adults. As many as 60% of adults are now overweight; so, if their children look like the rest of the family, they may blame it on their genes rather than their environment. While it is true that some children may be genetically predisposed toward obesity, a healthier diet and regular physical activity may help reverse the trend."

"No one can set a healthy standard better than parents," coaches Grey. Creating a healthy home for your overweight child means getting the whole family involved with constructive eating habits and regular exercise. She adds that, "Children are likely to model their parents' behavior, so set a good example for them to follow. Even if only one child in the family is overweight, serve the same foods to everyone. Require physical activity from everyone, and join them for at least half an hour each day in some kind of exercise."

Bev Grey is founder and president of Grandma's Healthy Kids Club, a Web site that offers age-appropriate weight loss programs and other items for children and adults. She is also author of "The Project," a fictional story for children or adults who work with children, and "Ending the Cycle of Obesity," an e-book containing several articles she has written about healthy living and childhood obesity. Visit www.grandmashealthykidsclub.com.

childhood obesity     kid friendly food     nutrition for children     nutrition for kids     overweight childre