Childhood Ovesity Prevention - Family Support

Social help - Childhood Obesity Prevention

Childhood Obesity Prevention - Getting Support from Family, Friends and the Community. If your child is going to succeed with her weight loss or weight control goals she needs a world of support around her. That means that teachers, coaches, doctors, nutritionists (if you have one), neighbors, friends, grandparents, aunts and uncles must all know about and support your child’s goals. You must talk to them about what you are doing and ensure that they do not use criticism, negative remarks or berating behavior.

“The family has a huge part in fighting the obesity factor, since these are children the family is a critical part of their world.”

Be sure that the people in your support network compliment and encourage your child at every turn – even if the child is going through a tough spell and not losing much weight OR if they slip on occasion and miss exercise or eat something they should not. In Childhood Obesity Prevention Your child needs to know that it is OK to make a mistake sometimes and that their goals are important and everyone is behind them in achieving those goals. Ask your support network to focus on what your child is doing right – what he is doing well and the goals he has achieved to date.  If you have spoken to someone about their negative behavior and you find that they are still a problem, try to limit your child’s time with that person. You don’t want to have to mend the bridges with your child that this person may be breaking on a daily basis! Be sure you have information at your disposal to share with these people – printed materials, websites, videos, books, or diet plans or diaries. Share things with them that you feel will help educate them on what you need them to know, and to do, to help you support your child. Do not attempt to keep your plan a SECRET. 

Childhood Obesity Prevention needs to be clear that There is nothing to be ashamed of, and if you are not telling the people surrounding your child, your child is bound to get mixed messages and fall into bad habits. By all means your school nurse should have a copy of any formal ‘diet’ your child is on, along with any physical restrictions or medications you have agreed on with your doctor! If your child is participating in sports at school or in extracurricular activities, or taking a martial arts or dance course, be sure the coach understands physical restrictions and limitations. Let the coach know that you are working GRADUALLY toward the goal of physical fitness, taking into consideration your child’s short term and long-term goals.  For Childhood Obesity Prevention to work best you can tell the people in your support network that you have small short-term goals and a long-term goal and that this is a gradual process.  Let them know that many overweight children ‘grow into’ extra weight as they get taller and discourage them from being too aggressive or taking a hard line with your child’s diet and exercise. If someone is watching your child for the day or overnight have them emphasize the fun of outside play and get them moving. 
Don’t let them park your child in front of a TV screen and leave them there for the day!