Food is a huge aspect of weight but it’s not just about what children eat
Childhood obesity has gained attention over the last few years. The numbers are staggering, affecting close to 20 percent of children and adolescents. When discussing this sensitive issue, being supportive and using a very careful approach is critical to avoid shaming or chas v’shalom causing our kids to develop a dysfunctional relationship with food and their bodies.
Food is a huge aspect of weight but it’s not just about what children eat. It’s much more complex than that. Obesity is influenced by a range of factors — genetics, environment, access to healthy food, safe places to exercise, and mental well-being. Additionally, obesity has far-reaching consequences for overall health, increasing the risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and even cancer later in life.
It’s important to focus on creating healthy, positive habits that encourage long-term well-being. Instead of emphasizing weight or numbers on a scale, the goal should be to help your child adopt sustainable lifestyle changes that can benefit the entire family. This can be especially challenging if your child is picky or your family has busy schedules. However, small, gradual changes often have the most lasting impact.
Prevention remains the cornerstone of tackling childhood obesity. But what if a child needs more than lifestyle changes? For some children, medications may be appropriate. Metformin has long been used off-label for weight management. Orlistat and Phentermine have been used for decades in adolescents. Most recently, Liraglutide and Semaglutide were approved for children 12 and older.
Create a free account to keep reading.
