Personal Best Health Wellness - Game plan for Overweight Children

When it comes to helping kids lose weight, what's most effective is first building the child's self-esteem. Pediatricians say too much focus on the weight can aggravate the problem. Instead, show your support with praise and patience, and by spending time with your child.

Another positive measure for an overweight child is to promote a more active lifestyle — not an easy goal in our sit-down culture. How do you encourage nature walks over lying on the floor blasting Matchbox 20? The key is persistence, and getting the whole family involved.

Go biking on weekends, or walk the dog after dinner before you sit down for TV; go bowling, swimming or cross-country skiing together; or play baseball or football in the backyard. You accomplish 2 goals: You all get more exercise and you spend time together.

Also, be sure the whole family supports the overweight child by following the same healthy, permanent food plan. Control your own weight — not through quick-loss diets — but with regular exercise and balanced meals high in nutrition.

It's not as easy for kids to play as it once was; we worry about their safety, and life is more sedentary for all of us. But kids need to play. And we need to create opportunities for them. The rewards are better health and a respect for fitness that will benefit them later in life.