Jolynn said she is happy with the weight loss and continue to choose healthy meals and walk on the treadmill for a half-hour each day. I told her that it's not much of a choice, it's her health. If a doctor tells you that your child is overweight for his or her age and height, you can start by encouraging the child to do more outdoor physical activities. Rigorous exercise programs are discouraged for children because they are less likely to stick with it if they don't enjoy it, said Dr. Stephen Ponder, a local pediatric endocrinologist. Instead, he recommends that children engage in fun playtime activities like taking dance classes, swimming, riding bikes or playing catch.
Many kids also enjoy family activities like walking after dinner.
But, he warns, be sure to include healthy amounts of nutritional foods because children are still growing and need several essential nutrients to stay healthy. Sanchez said that she cut all fried foods and pork from the family's diet and replaced them with baked foods and fruits and vegetables. She also said that she plans meals and allows the family to have pizza or hamburgers and fries as an occasional treat. It takes the parents being involved. All rights reserved.