| It is difficult for parents to accept that their child is a | | | | increased physical activity is combined with a healthier |
| less than perfect physical specimen; after all, you are | | | | diet. Help from a professional should always be sought |
| going to love your child whether she is overweight, | | | | in any matter relating to child welfare, and that includes |
| underweight or right in the middle of the chart. | | | | weight control in children of any age. |
| However, loving your child should not blind you to | | | | Don't be swayed by people who tell you your |
| issues such as excess body fat because of the | | | | overweight child just has a case of "puppy fat" and |
| potential problems child obesity can lead to in later life. | | | | make it obvious they think you are mean to cut down |
| Asking yourself "is my child overweight for her height" | | | | your child's consumption of sugary snacks and fizzy |
| is the first step to detecting child obesity. | | | | drinks. If you fail to take action, your child will continue |
| Help for overweight children should be provided as | | | | to be overweight and it is most likely that the extent of |
| soon as a weight problem is detected. The younger | | | | the problem will escalate into child obesity. Help from |
| your child is, the easier it will be to introduce a new and | | | | you at an early stage is essential to prevent your child |
| healthier regime. A child of pre-school age will happily | | | | becoming an obese teen who is well on the way to |
| take to a lifestyle with more trips to the swimming pool | | | | being a seriously obese adult. |
| and more games in the park. When your child is young, | | | | If your child's problem of being overweight is allowed to |
| you are in charge of dietary matters; you can | | | | continue, the situation will rapidly get worse. |
| introduce changes to meal plans by cutting down on | | | | Adolescence is a difficult stage in life for most young |
| sugary foods and serving more fresh fruits and | | | | people; they often become self-conscious, moody and |
| vegetables without ever mentioning the dreaded word | | | | difficult. If you throw a weight problem into the mixed |
| "diet". | | | | emotions of a child struggling into adulthood, you will be |
| Weight management for young children should always | | | | looking at a seriously unhappy young person. |
| be a matter of small lifestyle changes where | | | | |