INFORMATION ABOUT BABY OVERWEIGHT PROBLEM
What and Why Obesity at Baby and Children
Obesity is the state of being extremely overweight according to standard growth
charts. Obesity is one of the most common nutritional problems in the United
States. Both infants and children can be obese. Infants with obese parents,
however, have an 80 percent chance of developing obesity.
Obesity occurs when an infant or child takes in more calories than the body
can use. Obesity can have many causes, ranging from diet and lifestyle to, in
rare cases, hormonal disorders. Causes include overfeeding; providing only high
calorie beverages to satisfy thirst; using food to solve problems, relieve stress,
or as a reward; and not providing enough opportunities for exercise. Studies
have also shown that children who struggle over food when young tend to have
more weight problems when they are older. Other factors that contribute to obesity
include a family history of obesity, abnormal eating patterns such as binge
eating, and the use of corticosterioid drugs.
What are the symptoms of Obesity?
The symptom of obesity is being grossly overweight according to standard growth
charts. Complications of obesity include heart disease, hypertension, and some
cancers.
At regular physical exams, your doctor will check your child's height and weight
and plot them on a growth chart. A growth chart shows how your child's growth
compares to other children of the same age and is plotted in percentiles. For
example, if an infant is in the 20th percentile for weight on a growth chart,
that means that 20 percent of infants weigh less than that child and 80 percent
weigh more. Infants and toddlers naturally have chubby bodies. However, an infant
or toddler is considered obese when his or her weight gain is far out of proportion
to his or her growth in height. An overweight baby will look fat, not just chubby.
An older child is considered obese when there is a drastic change in the growth
curve on the chart. For example, if your child has been at the 30th percentile
level and suddenly jumps to the 75th over a six-month time period, there is
probably a weight problem. An adolescent's height and weight are converted to
body mass index, which is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared.
An adolescent is considered mildly obese when his or her body mass index is
higher than 27. The doctor will recommend a treatment plan when the body mass
index is 30 or higher.
Treatment of Children Obesity
While a child is still growing, treatment for obesity is to slow the rate of
weight gain. However, never reduce your child’s food intake to promote
weight loss without first consulting a doctor. The most important treatment
for obesity is prevention through healthy eating habits. With an infant, avoid
overfeeding. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, breastfed newborns
should be nursed whenever they show signs of hunger. Newborns should be nursed
approximately 8 to 12 times every 24 hours, usually 10 to 15 minutes on each
breast. If you are bottle feeding, don't allow your child to have the bottle
readily available day and night. Most infants need to be fed every two hours
from birth to around two months of age, then every three hours from two to six
months of age. By six months, most babies are satisfied with three meals a day
and two snacks. Don't rush your infant at feeding times. It generally takes
15 to 20 minutes for a baby to feel comfortably full. If your baby stops feeding
before the bottle is empty, don't insist that he or she finish it. Your baby
knows how much he or she needs. Solid foods can be introduced around six months
of age. Again, children on solid foods will let you know when they are full,
usually by turning their heads away or holding their mouths closed.
Children also should not receive sweets until after 12 months. With a child
of any age, it is extremely important not to use food as a reward or to control
behavior. These children learn to use food as a stress reliever. Balance and
moderation are important. Underfeeding a child is actually more harmful than
overfeeding. Teach your children the basic food groups and provide the recommended
number of servings per day. It's been said many times, but we'll say it again
“breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” Children who
skip breakfast have more difficulty performing in school and tend to snack and
eat heavier meals later in the day. When your child does snack, provide healthy
snacks, such as fruits, vegetables, and grains. Don't deprive your child of
all sweets, but provide them in moderation. Children who feel deprived are more
likely to associate negative feelings with food and suffer from eating disorders
later in life. Follow your doctor's recommendations for diet carefully. Because
your child is still growing, it is important to make sure you provide the right
amounts of nutrients and calories for growth.
Obese adolescents usually benefit from the same types of behavior modification
programs used with adults. This involves reducing the amount of calories they
take in by following a well-balanced diet and making permanent changes to their
eating habits, combined with a regular program of physical activity, such as
bike riding, swimming, or walking. Obese adolescents often have a poor self-image
and become isolated socially. These children may also need counseling to help
deal with their problems.
Do your Selft and tips for take care of baby obesity
You can help your child avoid obesity by providing the right kinds of foods
in the right amounts. If you're not sure of the guidelines for a healthy diet,
ask your doctor. He or she can give you nutritional information that is appropriate
for your child's age. Also keep in mind that chubbiness is normal at certain
ages, and that many children gain weight when going through a normal growth
spurt. Never change your child's diet to promote weight loss without consulting
with your doctor. (by hmc.psu.edu - BABY.TopResource.NET Reference)
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