Obesity in children is more prevalent today than ever before, and as the number of severely overweight children increases so do worries about the long-term effects of this illness. Pudgy kids are no longer a “cute” public commodity; they are a symptom of an obesity epidemic.

But these days, the increasing number of obese children is beginning to disturb a lot of parents. Children afflicted with obesity are as young as 13, probably even younger. Obesity poses a host of health problems for their children, not to mention the psychological effects it brings upon them. Obese children are prone to diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure and usually suffer from self-esteem problems and depression.

What Can Be Done About It

Exercise is important to helping your child lose weight. Devising an exercise routine, especially for the younger kids, is really quite easy. The keyword is fun. As long as the activities are fun, there shouldn’t be any problems motivating your child to get moving.

Avoid forcing them to follow a meticulously planned workout routine. Go out and play Frisbee at the park, run around with the dog, play hide and seek, go swimming. If your kid is into a particular sport, then so much better. Children love it when parents express interest in their activities. Get them away from the television and bring them outdoors.

Another important step is to monitor your child’s diet. Help your child develop good eating habits early on. Take a look at your own habits. It would be difficult to teach children certain habits when your own are questionable.

The laws of healthy eating are simple. Processed, sugary, and salty foods are not allowed. Soda isn’t permitted either, and if you find yourself or your child drinking it on a regular basis, think about banning it completely.

But this doesn’t mean you can’t have any fun. You will just need to learn which foods are okay to eat and how to prepare them so that they are both nutritious and delicious. Read the labels and keep track of what you and your child eat.

Cooking healthy food for your kid is the first step in establishing good eating habits, but don’t make her eat if she doesn’t want to. Kids are notoriously picky, especially about food they’ve never tried before. So give her time to try new foods and don’t scold her if she doesn’t eat. Instead, praise her for being so open-minded and reward her for trying something new. Likewise, always give positive reinforcement with non-food rewards like allowing her to stay up an hour later than usual.

Your child’s pediatrician can help you find ways to aid your child’s weight loss and improve his overall health. You will want to find out if there are any issues specific to your child that you need to address with diet or exercise. If you experience problems, you may need help from a support group or psychologist.

Regardless of how you choose to help your child lose those extra pounds, make sure you participate in the process and make him feel loved. Involve family and friends, and be a positive force in you’re child’s life. And don’t forget to set a good example. If you do all these things, your child is sure to become healthy and happy.