Fat Kids..Obese Adults

Fat Kids.. Obese Adults

My client's six-year-old son Yash is gaining a bit of weight on the abdomen. His health-conscious parents and grandparents are slightly worried because it’s hereditary for the boys in the family to start gaining weight around that age. My client recalls how he himself had been a thin kid till 8, after which he started gaining weight steadily.

Slim Boy

Yash had been a slim boy and a fussy eater at three. His parents, particularly his father, stressed over his eating habits and rued the fact that he was thin. Yash was fed cheese liberally, one of his favourite foods. Yash is an active kid and plays a few sports. Now with this slight weight gain, his family has clamped down on his cheese intake.

My other client, Shilpa's eight-year-old son Rohan is plump despite the fact that he is super active. Shilpa wonders why. In Rohan's case, I attribute it to excess oil in their food. At least, that seems to be one of the reasons. I have asked her to reduce the amount of cooking oil and see if it makes a difference. Shilpa also wanted to know if she should cut down on Rohan’s food intake. I asked her not to.

Kids Don't Like It

Although Yash’s family is conscious of their oil intake, rice or rawa dhoklas and idlis, sandwiches, upma and poha are popular breakfast items in both the families. I advised them to replace rawa and rice with green moong, daliya, whole wheat and oats. The response was – the kids don't like it and refuse to eat it. This is natural since they are used to the lightness and fluffiness of the rice and rawa items. So this transition seems little difficult right now. Once the kids grow up and become body conscious, it will be an easy transition.

Healthy Eating Habits

So right now, what can the parents do? They can mix oats in the rice idli and dosa batter. They could try a 50-50 ratio and if that doesn't work reduce the proportion of oats to 40%. Also, they could try replacing rice with jowar or making whole wheat vegetable stuffed parathas, wheat dosas and jowar dosas for breakfast. But I still advise them to stay away from refined items like rawa and maida. Parents should inculcate healthy eating habits in the kids before their tastes are developed. Introduce them to a mix of the healthy and not-so-healthy foods.

Dangers of Childhood Obesity

Some parents like their kids looking chubby. But childhood obesity comes with its own dangers. Overweight children are highly prone to a host of diseases like diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure and hormonal imbalances. Obesity has a negative impact on a child’s psychological development. At times, they get teased and bullied physically and verbally resulting in a traumatic childhood.

Overweight or Obese Adults

Another danger of kids being fat or overweight is them growing up to become overweight or obese adults. The increase in the number of fat cells during the growing stage makes it difficult for them to lose weight and then maintain a healthy weight even as adults. They have to be extremely careful with their diet and exercise regimen. Fat cells, once formed, remain for life. They can only be reduced in size with a healthy lifestyle.  

The major cause of childhood obesity is poor eating habits. A sedentary lifestyle only worsens it. Kids are spending an increasing amount of time on their laptops, computers, play stations, mobiles and television.  

  

What Can Parents Do?

Overweight children are more aware than anyone else that they have a weight problem. They need support, acceptance and encouragement.

- Keep a close watch on your children’s diet

- Avoid empty calories found in sweets, soft drinks and fried foods

- Give them lots of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains

- For a treat, give them fruit instead of chocolates

- Make exercise a family affair

- Gradually change your family’s eating habits

- Reduce the amount of time spent in front of the television