Overweight Kids

Heredity alone accounts for most mild obesity. Moderate obesity is usually caused by a combination of heredity, overeating, and under exercising. These are the factors you’ll need to deal with. Keep in mind that helping children lose weight between five and 12 years of age is very difficult, because they have access to so many foods outside the home and they’re not very disciplined about what they eat.

• First, change the foods you buy. Purchase more 2% Milk, diet drinks, lean meats, and fruits.

• Second, try to change your family’s eating habits. Although there are no forbidden foods, serve smaller portions, and also suggest chewing the food slowly.

• Third, the combination of exercise and diet is the most effective way to lose weight. Walking, swimming, or biking with your youngster three times a week is a great way to keep him motivated.

• Fourth, limit TV time to two hours per day. If somebody’s watching TV, they’re sitting and not exercising.

In summary, the school-aged child who is overweight needs a diet and exercise program that’s undertaken by the entire family.

During Dr. Schmitt’s 20 years as a medical practitioner and researcher, he has published over 100 articles or chapters on pediatric health care, and has been awarded the distinguished C. Anderson Aldrich Award by the American Academy of Pediatrics for outstanding contributions to the field of child development. Schmitt has also authored five books including Your Child’s Health, which won Child Magazine’s first Hall of Fame Award in 1991. Schmitt is also a professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and on staff at The Children’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado.