How to Reduce an Obese Child's Caloric Intake

Learn Ways to Help Kids Safely Manage Their Weight

Nov 14, 2008

Reducing the caloric intake of an obese child can lower his risks of having life-altering health conditions in the future.

When a child is obese his chances of having high blood pressure, liver disease, respiratory problems, diabetes, clogged arteries, strokes, and heart attacks greatly increases. An obese child also faces the possibility of a shortened life expectancy.

“. . . The goal for overweight and obese children and teens is to reduce the rate of weight gain while allowing normal growth and development,” notes the Centers for Disease Control in the article, “Tips for Parents – Ideas to Help Children Maintain a Healthy Weight.” Thankfully, there are a few simple lifestyle changes parents can make to help their kids safely manage their weight.

Serve More Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

To maintain optimal health, the USDA recommends children ages two to six get five servings of fruits and vegetables each day, and children over the age of six should get five to nine servings a day. Fresh fruits and veggies can be served alone or in combination with other things kids enjoy eating.

Prepare Meals at Home

Preparing meals at home allows more control over the kinds of ingredients used. Experiment with recipes and use cookbooks to find a variety of healthy ways to fix kids’ favorite meals.

Use Smaller Plates to Manage Portion Sizes

The more food kids see, the more they’ll eat. Since small plates hold less food, using them during mealtimes is a fantastic way to reduce an obese child’s caloric intake. If kids are still hungry after they've finish the first serving, they can always have a little more.

Offer Water More Often

Water makes up more than 60 percent of the human body – so consuming enough of it is a vital part of keeping the organs in the body working efficiently. Soft drinks and fruit juices are filled with empty calories, have no nutritional value, and only contribute to weight problems in children.

Don’t Deny Kids Their Favorite Treats

Denying kids their favorite foods will only make them feel like they are being punished because they're overweight, and they’ll start sneaking junk foods behind your back. Letting your kids indulge in a little ice-cream every once in a while won’t hurt as long as it’s done in moderation.

Kids should be encouraged to engage in at least one-hour of physical activity everyday. Plan fun games, take after-dinner walks, spend the weekend biking, visit the zoo, or turn on some music and boogie with your little ones. The more active children are, the easier it will be for them to manage their weight.

Making small lifestyle changes today can make a world of difference in the long-term health of your child.

The copyright of the article How to Reduce an Obese Child's Caloric Intake in Early Childhood is owned by Charlina Stewart. Permission to republish How to Reduce an Obese Child's Caloric Intake in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.