overweight kids

[SediEbi]

For kids with overweight, is it acceptable to take less calories than they should take evryday? if yes How much?

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Hi SediEbi,

As we aren't medically qualified, we would be wary of advising on a child's calorific requirements. I think it would be better to consult your Healthcare professional and be advised by them

All the very best

[Penel]

Cutting calories for children is not a good idea. What you can cut out are sugar and soda drinks. Replace junk food with healthy food.

[PippiRuns 3kg]

Hi SediEbi - I agree with moreless that you should seek professional advice. My personal opinion is that childen should not be calorie counting. The risk of a eating disorder appears to be imminent...

But I want you to see this article about cracking childhood obesity which is based on a model designed by a Danish pediatrician bbc.com/news/health-29755469 and is now used in many Danish hospitals with a very high success rate.

It is so simple, it is scary. The doctor interviews the child and makes a tailored plan with 15-20 strategies which could include a selection of the strategies mentioned below. The plan needs to be tailored to each child, because each obese child has different (bad) habits.

Both my own kids are skinny, but I know no. 15-16 would be a big problem in our household I also think many problems stem from no. 10!

Hope you are inspired.

1 - No crunchy muesli or fruit yogurts for breakfast - choosing oatmeal, dark brown bread, meat and fish instead

2 - No fast food or white bread for lunch; choose brown bread, meat, fish and vegetables instead

3 - Portions served up in the kitchen - no pots and pans at the dining table

4 - Plate proportions for dinner should be: half vegetables, a quarter brown rice, pasta or potatoes, and a quarter low fat fish or meat

5 - Wait 20 minutes before having second helpings - this allows time for the body to feel full

6 - Feel satisfied after each meal

7 - Only two pieces of fruit per day

8 - Fast food only once a month

9 - Sweets only once a week

10 - Snack only once a week

11 - Limit juice, iced tea, cocoa, soda or lemonade to once weekly - only half a liter in total

12 - Cycle or walk to school

13 - Organised physical activity eg dancing, handball or gymnastics

14 - Free physical activities like walking/biking after school, walking the dog or trampolining

15 - Screen time (television, computer or tablet) limited to two hours per day

16 - No television/computer access until 5pm

17 - Set a regular, early bedtime

[Penel in reply to PippiRuns]

The American paediatric obesity specialist Dr Robert Lustig has similar recommendations, apart from the low fat part. Children should be having naturally full fat foods.

[PippiRuns 3kg in reply to Penel]

I think that is what they mean here too - just a bad translation. From what I gather in the original Danish version, it is not about choosing fat-reduced meat and fish, but about choosing lean meat like most fish/seafood, poultry, lean cuts of beef, lamb, veal and pork, but staying away from processed meats like hot dogs, bologna, sausages and bacon which are usually high in fat.

[albinohedgehog]

Hiya. Don't focus on calories as they are too young. Focus on making healthy foods and encouraging enjoyable exercise, and I agree with moreless it would be a good idea to get advice from doctor.

🙂