Pay attention to the symptoms of being overweight in children and the right way to handle it

It is true that parents must provide a full intake of nutrition for children. However, sometimes there are those who give it too much so that the child's weight increases. At first glance it looks cute and adorable, but make no mistake, being overweight or overweight in children is not always good. In fact, do not rule out, this excess weight can bring the risk of disease in children in the future. As a parent, it is important to understand as early as possible starting from the symptoms, until the treatment of overweight in children.

What is overweight in children?

Overweight or overweight is a condition when the child's body weight is too large, due to the accumulation of fat in the body. Normally, everyone has fat all over his body.

However, fat storage in overweight children tends to be excessive, thus making their posture less than ideal.

The reason is, the height of children with overweight is usually somewhat less equivalent to their body size. As a result, the child's stature will look fat or bigger than children his age.

Launching from the WHO website, being overweight in children at an early age is included in the case of overnutrition. Unfortunately, on average, this problem will continue to carry over to adulthood. This condition is even at risk of making children more susceptible to cardiovascular disease and diabetes at a young age.

However, you don't need to worry, because while given proper treatment, overweight in children can be overcome slowly.

When is a child said to be overweight?

To find out whether your little one is overweight or not, you must first know his nutritional status.

Assessment of nutritional status uses two indicators, namely, body weight for height (BW / TB) and body mass index for age (BMI / U). Measurement of overweight in children aged 0-60 months usually uses the WHO 2006 chart (cut off z score) with indicators BB / TB.

Based on these measurements, children aged 0-60 months are included in the overweight group, when the results show a number> 2 to 3 SD. Meanwhile, after the age of more than 60 months, aka 5 years, the measurement can use the CDC 2000 rule (percentile measure).

In this case, the overweight category in children is in the 85th percentile to less than 95th percentile. Calculation of nutritional status in children is complicated. Don't worry, you just need to get your little one checked by a doctor so that the medical team will measure it.

Now, if the results of measuring the child's weight and height are in both ranges, doctors and nutritionists can provide the right treatment. However, overweight children are not necessarily obese. The range of measuring overweight is still one level below obesity.

Handling for cases of overweight in children usually involves a program of daily dietary management. This is of course adjusted back to body weight, height, age, and the child's health condition.

What causes overweight in children?

Basically, being overweight in children is caused by their daily food intake that exceeds their needs. So, the food intake they eat is too much when compared to the daily activities they do.

However, more specifically, there are a number of other things that contribute to overweight in children, such as:

1. Genetics

One of the genes carried by parents plays a role in determining body shape, as well as the process of storing and burning fat. More than that, habit factors passed down from generation to generation can trigger children to be overweight.

In many cases, it is not uncommon for children who are overweight to have parents who are also overweight. In various studies, it is stated that a poor parental diet to a habit of minimal physical activity, in fact can be "passed" to the child.

2. Diet

Most children generally enjoy sweet, fatty, fast food, to packaging. It is so delicious, not a few can eat it in large portions or even in excess. The tight schedule for school, extracurricular activities, or additional tutoring is sometimes another factor that makes children tend to eat anything without thinking healthy or not.

In addition, some children prefer to spend time at home playinggadget. As a result, his body is not active in various activities.

3. Physical activity

At least a few hours a day, every child should be physically active, and avoid too much silence. The reason is, constantly having fun relaxing will actually make the energy from food settle in the body.

The lack of physical activity makes it difficult to burn excess energy in the child's body. This condition then causes the accumulation of fat in the body, making the child overweight.

Various health risks in overweight children

A child who is overweight has a higher risk of developing several conditions, such as:

Bone and joint problems.
Experiencing puberty earlier than friends his age.
Respiratory problems, including severe asthma, difficulty breathing during sleep (obstructive sleep apnea) and shortness of breath when exercising.
If not addressed immediately, being overweight in children can make them obese as adults.
Have heart and liver problems as an adult.
Overweight in adolescent girls has the opportunity to make menstrual cycles irregular, as well as fertility problems as adults.

Being overweight can have psychological effects in some children. Furthermore, this results in the emergence of a lack of self-confidence, especially when the child has entered adolescence. Because in adolescence, children usually begin to have their own perceptions of other people's judgments about themselves.

If overweight they experience makes children insecure, they can become victims of bullying because of their weight. Most likely, the child can withdraw and avoid social contact. This can lead to a bad mood and, in severe cases, depression.

How to treat overweight in children?

Treating excess weight in children from an early age can help better control the condition, or even return to normal weight. As a result, bad risks that lurk health can be avoided.

Because if it is not immediately recognized, overweight in children can develop into obesity at a later date. Here are some ways you can control overweight in children:

1. Help the child to live a healthier lifestyle

Start by making small changes to your child's diet and lifestyle. For example, by providing healthy food choices consisting of various nutrients, eating as needed, and increasing physical activity.

It would be better to discuss with a doctor or child nutritionist, in order to get the right rules or guidelines in controlling weight.

2. Give enough food portions

Avoid giving children main meals with portions that are too large. Usually, the doctor and nutritionist will help guide you in limiting your child's daily meal portions.

On the other hand, as much as possible avoid using large sized plates. The reason is, children may be interested in eating more portions, because they see that there is still space left on their plate.

3. Eat at the dining table

If your child has been accustomed to eating in front of the TV, now invite him to eat together at the dining table every day. Instead of eating while watching TV, eating at the dining table helps children to more regularly manage the portions and timing of their meals.

That way, children's eating portions usually become more controlled, and their meal times are more limited so they don't increase their meal portions.

4. Provide a healthy food source

Processed foods, junk food, and fried foods are some examples of foods that overweight children should not eat frequently. In addition, limit foods that are high in sugar and fat.

For example candy, cakes, biscuits, sweet cereals, and soft drinks. The reason is, these types of food and drinks contain a high number of calories but are low in nutrients.

Instead, serve a daily diet that includes the child's macro and micro nutrient needs. Includes carbohydrates, protein, less fat, fiber, vitamins and minerals.

5. Increase the child's daily physical activity

Slowly increase your child's physical activity for at least an hour each day. Simply put, let children be physically active, whether it's playing or playing sports.

If necessary, instead of using a car or motorbike, you can take the child on foot or bicycle when they want to visit a place close by.

This method helps the child's body to burn excess calories obtained from daily food. That way, the intake of calories is equivalent to what is expended, so that overweight in children can be controlled.

6. Be a good example for children

One way to start instilling good habits in children is to try to set a good example for them. Most children generally will imitate all the behavior of their parents, and without realizing it as a role model in life.

That is why, when you ask your child to make various changes to overcome his overweight condition, the child may refuse. Why? Because seeing his parents did not apply the same thing.

Take this example, you ask the child to do light exercise more often, such as playing bicycles around the house. But in reality, you are not doing the same thing yourself, or are just engrossed in watching TV yourself.

This is what then makes children feel as if they are "trying" on their own, without the support and examples directly from their parents. Instead of being excited about changing themselves into better habits, your child may be reluctant to listen to your commands and suggestions.

In fact, you can involve all family members in doing the same thing. Take a leisurely walk on a Sunday morning, for example.

Any changes you make to your child's diet and lifestyle are usually easier to accept if the whole family is involved.

Sample daily menu for children who are overweight

Setting the daily food menu is one step to control body weight in overweight children. In addition, giving the right menu also aims to maintain or reduce children's weight until they are in accordance with their height.

Your doctor or pediatrician may recommend a low energy diet (1700 kcal). However, the child's daily energy intake will usually be readjusted based on their ideal body weight.

No need to be confused, here is an example of a daily menu that can be given to overweight children:

Breakfast (breakfast)