Childhood obesity is a rising problem that threatens children around the world. Children who are obese or overweight face many challenges in their lives, such as low self-esteem and self-confidence and being generally less fit and healthy than children at a healthy weight. Additionally, children who are overweight are at an increased risk of developing diseases when they get older.

Methods of losing weight in children are not that much different than for adults, but it may be harder to get children to make the effort to lose weight or realize its importance. We offer you here some advice on how to help your child lose weight.

Physical Activity

Being physically active can help children lose weight and become healthier in general. The good thing is that you can incorporate physical activity into the child’s play, so he or she will have fun while doing it. Any type of active play suitable for the child’s age is good to keep the child healthy and active and promote weight loss.

Meal Portions

Avoid filling your child’s plate at meals, and instead put a small amount of food and let the child ask for more if they still feel hungry. Use small plates to serve food to children, encourage them to eat slowly, and do not force them to finish the plate if they feel full.

Following Diets

It is not recommended and may be dangerous to let your child follow diets, especially those that restrict certain food groups. Children are still growing rapidly and require all the nutrients they can get, so following a diet that restricts a certain food can deprive the child of a nutrient they need.

Healthy Food

Your child cannot eat unhealthy foods like sugary drinks and baked goods if they are not available at home. Buy healthy foods and prepare healthy and balanced meals and snacks for your family, focusing on vegetables and fruits.

Eating Frequently

Serve your child three large meals and a healthy snack in between, offering healthy foods rich in nutrients. This prevents your child from getting hungry from meal to meal and makes them less likely to overeat come dinnertime.

Being a Role Model

If you want your child to stick to their goals and lose weight, you need to be a good role model to encourage them to keep it up. This means that you yourself need to lead a healthy lifestyle that they should follow.