Blog

The rates of overweight and obese children in Greece are among the highest in Europe. Increased body weight in children and adolescents is a risk factor for social stigma in their daily lives as well as for the occurrence of precocious puberty, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and increased blood pressure.

70% of children with increased body weight will become overweight or obese adults, while this percentage increases to 80% when one of the two parents is overweight or obese.

How can parents help prevent and treat their children’s increased body weight?

The answer is to focus more on a balanced diet, increasing movement and reducing the time children spend in front of screens, and less on their body weight.

Below are 5 key ways in which parents can help their children change their eating behavior.

1. Parents are role models for children of all ages. If parents follow a healthy lifestyle with balanced eating habits and increased physical activity, they can help their children do the same, without instructions, but by example. Keep in mind that children follow easily when an activity involves the whole family, whether it concerns food or physical activity. So, aim to have at least one family meal a day or go for a walk in the park or on a bike together, etc.
2. The availability of food at home is a key criterion for children’s food choices. It is obvious that the increased availability of unhealthy foods (e.g. chips, shrimp, cookies, candies, chocolates, etc.) tempts young and old. On the contrary, if there are foods available and in visible places, such as fruits, vegetables, milk and yogurt, the likelihood of their consumption is increased.
3. Do not reward children with food. There are many times when parents themselves use the wrong tactics to adopt balanced habits from children. “If you eat the okra with the chicken, I will buy you ice cream”. A condition that ensures that okra is something “bad” and as a reward comes the “good”, ice cream. Try to reward your children with something different, unrelated to food, such as buying a book or something that increases their physical activity, such as an excursion.
4. Let children participate in preparing the food. A visit to the supermarket with children – which certainly increases their physical activity – helps them receive new stimuli and information as well as educate themselves on food quality and reading labels. Also, their involvement in cooking and serving makes them feel more creative and often helps them try new foods and dishes that they would not otherwise try.
5. Visit your pediatrician regularly. The pediatrician is the main source of diagnosis of increased body weight in children and adolescents. He or she will guide you appropriately on which medical tests should be performed and which specialized health professionals you should contact.