Obesity is a health problem not only for children but also for adults. This leads to other health complications, such as heart disease, hypertension, cholesterol and diabetes. In recent years, obesity has also been found in children. The main reasons are the reduced levels of physical or outdoor activities, as well as an unhealthy diet with low nutritional value and a very high content of fat and sugar.
Body weight chart for children
The Body Mass Index is a calculation that uses weight and height to estimate how much body fat an individual has. Doctors use it to check how harmonious a child’s weight is for a certain height and age.
Starting when your child is 2 years old, the doctor will determine the BMI index at regular exams and mark this measurement on a body mass chart compared to other children of the same age.
Because of their natural and age-related changes, doctors should draw the children’s BMI measurements on relevant documents, instead of using all the figures of the body chart, as is the case with adults. In addition, they use separate BMI charts for girls and boys to calculate deviations in body fat amounts and growth rates as the two sexes mature. This information is recorded in your child’s medical history and, during several visits, the standard of measurement allows the doctor to monitor your child’s growth.
The body mass chart is especially useful for identifying adolescents and children who are at risk of gaining weight as they age. In adolescents and older children, there is a strong correlation between the amount of body fat and the weight. Therefore, those with a high BMI graph and, incredibly, high levels of fat more often have weight problems when they are older. .By identifying vulnerable children, doctors can carefully monitor their body fat and try to prevent obesity in adults by changing their diet and exercise habits.
The BMI percentiles indicate how the children’s measurements compare to others of the same age and gender. For example, if a child has a BMI in the 55th percentile, 55% of the same ages and genders measured had a lower body mass index.
The body mass diagram is not ideal. For example, it is very common for children to gain weight quickly – and watch the weight chart go up – during puberty. Your doctor can help you find out if this weight gain is a natural part of growth or if it is worrying. Children may also have a high BMI rate if they have a large structure or more muscles, and not excess fat. And a child with little structure may have a normal BMI chart, but a lot of body fat.
Although the weight chart is not an absolute or ideal measure of body fat, children with the 95th percentile or more are considered obese, a term that doctors use to show excess body fat, which increases the risk of weight gain. A child whose BMI index is between 5th and 85th percentiles is in a well-rounded group. A baby with a body mass index below the 5th percentile is known to be obese.
In addition, it is important to consider the numbers in the BMI chart as a trend, rather than focusing on individual numbers. Some measure, put out of context, can give the wrong impression of your child’s growth. The actual rate of BMI measurements is the norm over time. This allows the doctor and parents to watch a child’s growth and check if it is normal compared to other peers.
How To Maintain An Ideal Weight For Kids
1) Have fun losing weight !!
Presenting healthy diet plan and easy dishes to kids can be fun! Kids can help parents / adults prepare meals by setting the table, washing and cutting vegetables, measuring liquids, taking an inventory of ingredients, or even reading recipes aloud!
Doing physical activity can also be fun! Easy and fun activities for kids can be a day at the park, playing Frisbee with the family dog ​​or biking around the neighborhood.
2) Decrease your sugar intake
Sugar is good! High sugar intake not only is detrimental to overall healthy living but also detrimental to the development of children’s teeth. It can cause cavities. Children should limit their consumption of soft drinks, sweets and other sweets, such as ring buns or honey breads.
3) Eat smaller portions throughout the day
As explained earlier, my problem as a child was that I ate a BIG MEAL for dinner. I was always hungry when I got home from school and only ate dinner. Encouraging children to eat throughout the day will eliminate the need to overeat at night. Offering snacks, such as cheese sticks or yogurt, to go to school is a great way to provide
4) Increase water consumption
How much you say … how much you don’t like the thought … everyone, including kids, needs to drink more water! So boring! I know … but the benefits are huge. There are products on the market that can add flavor to the taste of water. I use it a lot, but for kids, like everything, I use it sparingly.
5) Provide encouragement; don’t criticize or bully
Criticism and criticism are the worst! Children with weight problems put a lot of negativity into themselves. The last thing they need is for someone to add their guilt. Instead, provide positive encouragement to children with weight problems. Congratulate them on small achievements (e.g., losing a pound or not having dessert one night). Positive messages are powerful!
6) Decrease your fast food intake
Who doesn’t love a double cheeseburger or fries from their favorite fast food restaurant? I’m not saying kids with weight problems shouldn’t eat fast food; I’m just saying don’t eat fast food every day or more than once a week. Many research studies have been done on the disease of fast food. So much so that some fast food restaurants have modified their menu to include “healthier” meals. The effort is applauded, but nevertheless … continue cautiously; all in moderation.
