Child/Teen Obesity Teen obesity is a rising issue, major concern & a health burden that in some cases is ignored. Studies have proved more children/teens are overweight than ever before. Obesity is obvious to recognise & may be difficult to treat. Managing a hormone raging teen can be complex, but unmanaged weight management in teens will definitely lead to an obese adult. What causes obesity? Everyone one of us at risk of becoming obese. Poor diet & an inactive #lifestyle. An excess of calories from food & drink that’s stored as fat. . Emotional/comfort eating. TV & video games. Food portions. Salt. Media influence. Genetics? Chances of a child being overweight are likely if both parents are obese. If parents adopt good quality diet & an active #lifestyle obesity can be reduced. Unhealthy eating habits are easily passed from parent to child. Medical Reasons? While it is rare for a child/teen to have an obesity medical reason.. certain medications can result in weight gain. Thyroid conditions & inherited diseases of the brain can also result in excess weight. Health risks? Childhood/Teen obesity has immediate & long term effects on an individual. Diabetes Skin problems High cholesterol Heart disease Cancer Vitamin deficiency Sleep apnoea Emotional Issues along with Obesity is an added burden & of serious medical concern: Is your child – suffering from reduced energy? Sadness? Anger? Is he/she withdrawn? Reluctant to leave the house? Has your child got friends? What next? Are you worried about your child’s weight? If so, you can calculate their BMI (online) – Body Mass Index which uses height, & weight measurements to estimate body fat. Please note that calculating BMI online is only a guide as BMI can be slightly difficult to interpret during puberty. If BMI is in the high range you can speak to your GP & have your child accessed just to rule out any possible medical issues. Its a parents duty to recognise how easily a child can become obese. Children need a good quality diet & physical activity to aid in growth & development. Be a good role model A child will pick up your bad or good habits. Its important for parents to promote healthy eating & regular exercise from the very beginning so a child knows no different. Encourage breakfast – not sugary fatty cereal. Choose Oatmeal. Whole-Grain cereal & a piece of fruit. Encourage vegetables & fruit on a daily basis. Explain to you child the importance of a balanced diet. Encourage regular meal times away from the TV which can lead to mindless eating. Limit sweets & fizzy drinks A child’s portion of food is not the same as an adult! Limit video games – a child should be physically active for at least 60minutes throughout a day. Sleep! From ages 12-16 at least 8hours a night is a requirement. Nourishing a child is such an important job for all parents. Everything in moderation. Limit ‘sweet’ rewards. Most of all stay positive, encouraging & supportive. L,x