10 Proven Tips to Help Your Overweight Child!
- Be supportive in all circumstances. Children cannot tackle this problem on their own.
- Provide structure. Children gain the most weight during the summer months when they are away from school.
- Weigh your child once a week and put it on a graph by the scale. No negative comments! Praise and encourage your child especially for maintaining weight within a range is a positive tool.
- Have your child plan meals. It prevents compulsive eating. Teach your child to read nutrition labels and study calorie counts to make healthy choices.
- NEVER tell your child he or she may not eat certain foods. Every food is okay with knowledge of acceptable portion sizes in a daily intake plan.
- An inexpensive reward system can be a very effective motivator for your loved one.
- Any exercise is important. Start with a ½ hour walk together. If your child can find an exercise buddy instead of you, that’s even better.
- Set realistic and reachable goals. For example, at the mall, park a distance that allows a walk to the entrance.
- Children need a support system and unfortunately parents are not their #1 choice. They will not succeed if they do this on their own.
- The 6 Tools for success: Structure; Accountability; Support, Honesty, Being Selfish for oneself; and Rewards… and to have FUN, FUN, FUN!
