Many moms and dads spend a lot of time and effort cooking healthy meals for their kids. It’s because they want their children to eat nutritious food. However, sometimes it’s tricky to explain the benefits of a well-balanced meal to your child. But that doesn’t mean they should be allowed to eat unlimited junk food, right?
Well, a parent who has twins took to Reddit to share how one of their daughters was mad about being put on a healthy ‘diet’. The author wanted to help one of the children lose some weight, as she was obese. However, the other twin was skinny, and she didn’t like eating the new dishes. Continue reading to uncover the full story.
It’s crucial to ensure that children eat healthy, well-balanced meals
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A parent shared the challenges they faced implementing a single diet plan for their obese and skinny twins
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Image credits: Polina Tankilevitch / pexels (not the actual photo)
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Childhood obesity affects millions of children globally
Overweight or obese people are those individuals whose weight exceeds what is deemed healthy for their height. Usually, you can measure your ideal weight using the guidelines provided by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Childhood obesity is much more than a figure on the scale; it is an intricate health condition that affects millions of children globally. In 2022, it was estimated by the WHO that there were over 37 million overweight children under five years old. Over 230 million 5-19-year-olds were found to be overweight that year. Out of this number, 160 million suffered from obesity.
These figures are threatening not only to physical health but also emotional well-being of young people. If your child becomes excessively fat during his/her early life, he/she may suffer from certain ailments such as type II diabetes and heart diseases. Obese kids have high chances of growing into obese adults with consequent health implications like high blood pressure, joint pain, and liver disease.
Emotional and social well-being are also linked to child and adolescent obesity. They might even suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety or depression. Bullying is a common occurrence among overweight children who might even be teased in school. This often has far-reaching effects on their academic performance.
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Reasons behind childhood obesity
When people eat more calories than the body can burn they tend to gain weight. This is particularly true when children eat excessive amounts of junk foods and fried foods. However, obesity is a complex condition with many factors including but not limited to genetics, biology, behavior and culture.
Childhood and adolescent obesity may sometimes have its roots in genetics or family history. Additionally, unhealthy sleep patterns could disrupt hormone production that controls appetite and satiety. This results in reduced metabolism rates.
An active lifestyle is important for a kid. They can play with their friends or siblings. They can enjoy activities like sports or dance. Or you can simply stroll in the park with them. The main idea here is to engage them in exercises instead of having them be couch potatoes.
Sometimes young kids tend to overeat due to stressful life events they might experience like their parents getting a divorce or moving away from home. And, although obesity can be caused by medical conditions such as endocrine disorders, the chances of this are fewer.
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Ways to manage obesity in children and adolescents
We adults as a rule have to make sure that kids grasp the significance of nutritious food. Parents can try to feed their children wholesome food from an early age. Usually, a child imitates his/her parents’ behavior. Therefore, you may try having healthy meals together.
Moreover, do not hesitate to seek professional assistance in case of any need. Another option is seeing a nutritionist who will help modifying eating habits. Remember that you should try and motivate your child to lose the extra weight.
Speaking about this Reddit story, it seems like the author meant well but it’s important that they educate their twins about good food. What do you think about this? What are some go-to healthy recipes that your family loves?
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Many were unhappy that the author didn’t educate their kids about the importance of healthy food
Others advised the parent to prioritize an overall healthy lifestyle
A few individuals online expressed support for the author
