Childhood obesity is one of the issues that most concern parents. The consequences on the health of children and their way of socializing cause uncertainty in parents who sometimes do not know how to help them. Let's see some recommendations on what can parents of obese children do.
Parents have a great influence on our children. We are the fundamental pillar they rely on when they have a problem. Therefore, the whole family must be involved in the treatment of the child following certain rules of conduct in order for the child to overcome the disease in the best possible way.
Recognize the problem: Many parents do not see the kilos of more of their children as a true disorder, but the first step in solving a problem is to recognize it.
Seek professional help: mediation by experts is another fundamental step. A nutrition professional will set the guidelines to follow to change eating habits in an effective way. Nor should the help of a child psychologist, often necessary, be ruled out.
Change habits: It is important to turn the lifestyle the child leads. Modifying food, encouraging the practice of exercise, avoiding sedentary lifestyle are behaviors that must be incorporated naturally into the child's life. Without prohibitions or burdens, they can have the opposite effect to the desired one.
Provide emotional support: It is one of the keys, because no treatment works if the child does not feel supported by his parents. The affection, support and understanding of the parents will give you the necessary security to face the problem.
Lead by example: It is not consistent to tell the child to eat well or exercise when the parents do the opposite. Parents are the first and the best example for their children. Perhaps it is the ideal opportunity to change habits at the family level and thus the child will feel more clothed and less alien.
Strengthen positive behaviors: a tense climate could cause greater anxiety in the child causing an unwanted effect. Treatment will be more effective if parents focus on the positive by praising healthy behaviors instead of emphasizing the negative ones.
Do not joke about the child's weight: ridicule the child, humiliate him, label him fat or lazy are comments that make a dent in his self-esteem and mood. The child will naturally sink and this will negatively impact his relationship with food.
A safe family environment: Family stress predisposes to bad habits and promotes childhood obesity, so a relaxed family environment in which the child feels safe, loved and taken care of will help him regain his self-confidence.
