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The problem of childhood obesity in the United States has grown considerably in recent years. Obesity in children can cause a number of health problems and
emotional problems for children and can lead to obesity in adulthood. While a few extra pounds does not suggest obesity, significant obesity, when a child’s weight
is at least 10% higher than what is recommended, can be a major problem for children. In these cases of childhood obesity, children should follow a healthy weight
loss or weight control program in order to prevent additional weight gain and if necessary lose excess weight.
Parents should be closely involved in their child’s weight loss or weight control program to ensure that the program encourages healthy habits and emotions. Any weight loss or weight control program for children should encourage and teach children healthy eating habits and promote a healthy attitude toward food. The main focus of any weight loss or weight control programs for children should be on developing healthy behaviors and achieving total wellness.
At Webster Wellness Professionals, we are a wellness and eating disorder treatment center devoted to helping individuals overcome unhealthy eating habits, eating disorders, and obesity. We have a number of outpatient programs including obesity treatment for children. To learn more about working with your child to encourage healthy weight loss and weight control, please contact our eating disorder and obesity treatment center.
Obesity in children is a serious issue as it can have a profound effect on a child’s life. Obesity increases a child’s risk for numerous health problems and can also lead to the development of emotional and social problems as well. Additionally, obese children are far more likely to become obese adults, which further increases their risk for serious health problems such as heart disease and stroke.
Because of the many dangers connected with child obesity, it is important that parents take steps to prevent additional weight gain and when necessary encourage weight loss in children. Taking steps to encourage healthy weight loss will help to reduce the risks for children to develop serious emotional and physical problems.
Because children are still growing and developing, following a healthy weight loss or weight control program is even more important for children than it is adults. Children need to receive the necessary nutrition in order to grow and develop properly. Therefore, a child’s weight loss program should be carefully planned out and monitored in order to ensure that proper nutrients are received that encourage healthy growth and development. Typically, many children’s weight loss programs set the goal to simply stop or slow a child’s weight gain in order to allow the child to grow into his or her body. If weight loss is set as a goal for a child, the objective should be very small increments of weight loss per month.
A weight loss program for children is also a good place for parents to begin teaching children about healthy eating habits and other factors that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. During any weight loss or weight control program for children, the focus should be on encouraging and teaching healthy behaviors while reducing and eliminating unhealthy habits. This can include teaching children healthy choices for snacks and meals and encouraging children to develop good exercise habits and remain active.
Additionally, because parents have so much control over what child does or eats, they should be heavily involved in a child’s weight loss program. During their child’s weight loss or weight control program, parents should be supportive. It is important for parents to understand that their child’s self-esteem and self-perception is partly determined by your feelings. Therefore, parents should:
At Webster Wellness Professionals, we are an eating disorder treatment, weight control, and obesity treatment center in St. Louis. With all of our weight loss and eating disorder treatment programs, we maintain a focus on encouraging overall health and wellness. We offer healthy weight loss programs for children, teens, and adults who suffer from obesity, binge eating disorder, and emotional eating. To learn more about our weight loss programs, please contact our St. Louis eating disorder and obesity treatment center.