Healthy Lifestyles archive

A Weighty Discussion

Get Fit with Michigan Apples Essay Contest Winner Michael Craigmile, 11, of Atlanta

This contest was developed to help overweight youth gain the knowledge and power to become healthier and shed the excess pounds that are adversely impacting their day-to-day activities by Michigan Apples and Wellspring Camps. Thanks to their generosity, Michael Craigmile has won a four-week session at Wellspring Camp in North Carolina. He will be given intensive training on behaviors that promote successful long-term weight control. He will also participate in cognitive-behavioral therapy to help overcome emotional barriers to success. Michael’s family will learn ways to reinforce what he learned at camp.

Michael wants to go to Wellspring Camp because he’s tired of kids teasing him about his weight, even though they like his personality. He’s also looking forward to being able to participate in all of the activities at camp – last summer, he had a hard time participating in some of the activities at the camp he attended.

How much you weigh is a touchy subject, no matter how old you are. But it’s especially important to approach the subject with sensitivity with kids. Here are some tips from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta about how to talk to your kids about their weight.

  If you have concerns about your child’s weight, talk to your child’s pediatrician about your concerns. The pediatrician can do a health assessment and suggest the next steps. Sometimes your concerns may not mean your child is unhealthy.

  Your conversations need to be tailored to your child’s age and developmental stage.

  Children come in all shapes and sizes.

  Positive or negative comments about your child’s body size may harm more than help.

  Children, even at the age of 6, are aware of who is thin and who is overweight. Because of this, the overweight child needs support, acceptance, reassurance and encouragement from his parents.

Do…

  Talk to your children about the importance of the whole family being healthy. Being healthy includes eating well, getting at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day, going to bed on time, and limiting sedentary activities.

  Begin the conversation by asking if she’s been teased about her weight. This opens the door for your child to talk about her feelings regarding her weight and self-image. Reassure your child that her feelings are real, and that you accept and love her no matter what.

  Set a good example by practicing healthy habits.

  Reassure your child that you will not put him or her on a “diet.”

  Enlist your child’s help in making a plan that will help everyone become healthier.

  Plan, prepare and eat meals together – offer a variety of colorful foods.

  Make mealtimes pleasant; avoid commenting on your child’s food intake or selections.

  Reduce the time spent in front of the TV, computer, etc., to no more than two hours per day.

Don’t…

  Tease, compare or single out your overweight child.

  Think in terms of weight loss; instead think weight maintenance.

  Weigh your child – let your physician keep track of the child’s weight.

  Restrict food or quiz your child about eating.

  Use food as a reward.

 

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