HOW TO TALK TO KIDS ABOUT WEIGHT AND OBESITY
Weight is a sensitive subject for many, especially for children and teens. Concerns about body image and gaining weight are affecting kids at a very young age. Careful attention in deciding how to talk to your child about weight is important because it can have serious and lifelong implications. The following are some tips taken from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website, eatright.org.
1. Encourage open dialogue by talking with your children about weight and encourage them to share their feelings and thoughts about weight as they arise. Explain people come in all different shapes and sizes and you love them no matter what.
2. Set a good example by not judging or making negative comments about your own, your child’s or anyone else’s body. In addition, fad dieting should be avoided.
3. Children learn best by example. Make lifestyle changes as a family by serving regular, balanced family meals and snacks. Limit sedentary activities such as watching television or playing video games. Find ways to be active together as a family.
4. Yelling, bribing, threatening or punishing children about weight, food or physical activity can be harmful. The worse a child feels about their weight, the more likely they are to overeat or develop an eating disorder.
5. A united message between parents, family members and others is critical. Mixed messages about weight can have unhealthy consequences.
6. Seek advice from your healthcare provider and/or programs and professionals who specialize in working with youth such as a registered dietician nutritionist.
7. Your child’s overall health is the key consideration. Compliment your child on positive lifestyle behaviour changes or choices such as eating better and moving more, rather than on the loss of a few pounds.
If you hear your child say they are fat, find out where their thought about being fat is coming from. Were they teased by another child, did a family member say something, was it something they saw on television, have they outgrown their clothes which feel snug-fitting? It is important to address where the negative message is coming from and address it with the above tips in mind.
If your child’s weight is a concern, work with a pediatrician and registered dietitian nutritionist because weight loss among children can interfere with their growth and negatively impact their body image and relationship with food. Everyone is different and change occurs slowly but, by setting realistic goals and with patience, the focus will be overall health rather than weight.
Additional information is available by contacting Janell at the Chouteau County Extension Office at 622-3036, janellb@montana.edu or in the Chouteau County Courthouse at 1308 Franklin St in Fort Benton.
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Montana State University, US Department of Agriculture and Montana Counties Cooperating. MSU Extension is an equal opportunity/affirmative action provider of educational outreach.
