Research shows children who are a healthy weight tend to be fitter, healthier, better able to learn, and more self-confident. They’re also less likely to have low self-esteem or be bullied and they’re much less likely to have health problems in later life.
Children who are overweight are more at risk of becoming overweight adults who may develop health problems.
As a parent/carer, it can sometimes be difficult to tell that your child is overweight. A child may not look particularly heavy but as more children are becoming heavier at a younger age, we have become used to seeing bigger children. If your child is overweight, there are lots of things you can do to help them.
Children’s Healthy Weight Guide
A useful guide about children’s healthy weight
The Children and Families Living Well Service is for children aged 2-19 who are above a healthy weight. The service have friendly, trained advisors who offer 6 home-based sessions to parents of children under the age of 13 or can work more directly with children aged 13 or over.
The team is supported by a registered mental health nurse and dietitian. They will encourage you and your family to take positive steps which are right for you, supporting you to identify changes that will help the whole family work towards goals such as eating well, moving well, sleeping well and feeling mentally well.
Children learn by example, you can encourage your child to be active and eat well by doing so yourself. Set a good example by going for a walk or bike ride instead of watching TV or sitting at your computer. Playing in the park or swimming with your children shows them that being active is fun, and it’s a great way for you to spend time together.
Any changes you make to your child’s diet and lifestyle are much more likely to be accepted if the changes are small and involve the whole family.
All children should aim to do at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day for good health, but it doesn’t need to all be done at once. Several short 10-minute, or even 5-minute bursts of activity throughout the day can be just as good as an hour-long stretch.
Younger children can take part in active play including ball games, chase games like ‘tig’, riding a scooter, using playground swings, climbing frames and see-saws. Older children can ride bikes, skateboard, walk to school, skip, swim, dance or get involved with martial arts.
Walking or cycling short distances instead of using the car or bus is a great way to be active together as a family. And you’ll save money, too.
Avoid feeding your child oversized portions. Start meals with small servings and let your child ask for more if they’re still hungry.
Don’t insist your child finishes everything on their plate or eats more than they want to. Avoid using adult-size plates for younger children as this can encourage them to eat oversized portions. It may also help if you ask your child to eat slowly and keep set mealtimes. Mealtimes are a great opportunity to catch up on what’s happened during the day.
Be aware that unsweetened 100% fruit juice, vegetable juice and smoothies can only ever count as a maximum of 1 portion of their 5-A-Day. For example, if they drink two glasses of fruit juice and a smoothie in one day, that still only counts as one portion. When fruit is blended or juiced, it releases sugars, which increase the risk of tooth decay. So it’s best to drink fruit juice or smoothies at mealtimes.
It’s healthier for your child to get most of their calories from healthy foods like fruit and vegetables, and starchy foods like bread, potatoes, pasta and rice. Try to limit the amount of sugary or high-fat foods like sweets, cakes, biscuits, sugary cereals, and sugar-sweetened soft and fizzy drinks. These foods and drinks tend to be high in calories and low in nutrients.
It’s a good idea to get your child moving and reduce the time they spend sitting or lying down during the day. Limit the amount of time they spend being inactive, watching TV, playing video games and playing on electronic devices.
Generally experts advise that children should watch no more than two hours of television each day and you should remove all screens (including mobile phones) from their bedroom at night. Sleeping well helps children to grow and maintain a healthy weight and can have a positive effect on their mood and behaviour.
If your child has a medical condition, you should check with your GP or health professional if you have concerns about their weight.
Many children go through a period of refusing some foods as a natural part of their development. Although it can be worrying for parents, it will often resolve with time.