It's necessary for parents to pay attention to their toddler's weight. A child who is obese has a higher risk of developing a number of serious illnesses, including some that can manifest in early childhood and adolescence. These illnesses include diabetes, heart disease, asthma, high cholesterol, orthopedic issues, some cancers, irregular menstruation, and sleep apnea. Additionally, a lot of obese kids have social and emotional problems like bullying, poor body image, low self-esteem, and discrimination from other kids, all of which can negatively affect the child's self-esteem and even their academic performance. A toddler may not be at danger for any of these immediate effects, but the longer they are overweight, the more likely they are to remain overweight as adults and have linked health problems. As a child ages, it gets harder and harder to move them from the obese group to the healthy weight category. The weight disparity grows as eating and exercise habits soon become established.
How can you tell whether your child is obese or overweight? Similar to toddler milestones for cognitive, gross motor, and fine motor skills, there is a wide range of what constitutes "normal" weight for a toddler. And depending on height, a few extra pounds can have a significant impact. Various toddlers mature at different speeds, and some kids lose a little weight when they learn to walk. Your child's pediatrician can inform you whether your child is overweight or obese and, if necessary, assist you in developing healthier diet and exercise regimens. As it's not always simple to see obesity, especially in toddlers who are growing and changing so quickly, the body mass index (BMI) calculator can be useful. Body mass index (BMI) is an outdated, biased metric that ignores a number of elements, including age, gender, and ethnicity, race, and body composition. Despite being a faulty metric, BMI is still commonly employed in the medical field today since it is a rapid and affordable way to assess possible health outcomes and status. There's no reason to freak out if your kid is overweight. Although finding out that your child is overweight or obese might be frustrating, it is the first step in addressing their weight gain. Schedule a consultation with your child's pediatrician first. You can develop a strategy to assist your child in reaching (and maintaining) their ideal weight together. Be aware that for certain kids, depending on what is best for their body, this may skew to the upper or lower boundaries of the average weight range.
Regardless of the weight range a kid falls into, parents should feel empowered to make changes at home. Reducing the risk of childhood obesity can be accomplished by making healthful changes. The following are seven ways to enhance your toddler's health.
- Avoid Fruit Juice – While a toddler's healthy diet might occasionally include fruit juice, it's best to stick to water or milk. Fruit juice frequently contains artificial sweeteners or additional sugar, which translates to empty calories that won't satisfy your child. Juice doesn't have the satiating fiber that whole fruits do, even without added sweets.
- Be an Advocate for Your Child – If your child attends a preschool or daycare, find out what the child is fed, what kind of physical exercise the child engages in daily, and how much (if any) screen time is permitted. Then, consider how you may assist the center in enhancing its rules and procedures to give all the kids a healthier environment.
- Encourage Your Child to Try Healthy Foods – Toddlers are known for being finicky eaters, so keep introducing them to fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. According to research, a young child may need to be exposed to a new cuisine numerous times before they ever taste it, much less like it. Try preparing vegetables in a variety of ways that alter how they taste and feel in the mouth, such as raw, mashed, roasted, or pureed. Your picky eater's likelihood of enjoying a cuisine might be increased by something as simple as preparation.
- Encourage Your Toddler to Take Regular Naps – Regular naps and an early, regular bedtime help toddlers stay well-rested, which means they are less likely to become irritable or throw a fit when encouraged to try new foods or engage in physical activity.
- Limit Your Child's Screen Time – Not only does an increase in screen time often translate into a decrease in active time, but it can also lead to your child seeing ads for sugary cereals and snacks that include vibrant (and perhaps alluring) cartoon characters and catchy tunes. When watching TV together, turn off the ads or utilize a streaming service like Netflix or Hulu to completely skip them.
- Ensure Your Child Gets Plenty of Exercise- Toddlers should ideally be physically active on the majority, if not all, days of the week. When feasible, outdoor play is excellent. With a toddler or preschooler, there is no requirement for a structured fitness regimen. Visit neighborhood playgrounds with your kids, sign them up for a toddler tumbling class, or let them ride a scooter or a ride-on toy.
- Set a good example by eating nutritious food with your family. Prepare wholesome food. Turn off the television, cell phones, and other electronics, and gather the family for dinner. Include all family members when making healthier choices so that your toddler doesn't feel left out. You'll all reap the rewards of better eating and more exercise.
As a parent of a toddler, keep in mind that you can instill habits today that reduce the chance of obesity during childhood or later in life. Your actions can safeguard and enhance your child's health and prepare them for lifelong healthy eating habits.
ZS DMO Karla P. Calapardo, RND
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