Parenting : How to Solve When Kids Worry About Being Fat

When your child is just starting school, you'll} imagine that worries concerning her body size and form will escort the territory later, in her teen years. but it turns out that your young child might already be worried. youngsters as young as 5, 6, and seven years previous can be worried concerning their weight, according to consultants.

"It's stunning what number youngsters in this age group are worried," says Eileen Stone, a baby and adolescent psychologist in at Sanford Health in Fargo, N.D.

In a KidsHealth poll of more than one,000 kids ages nine to thirteen, more than [*fr1] said they were stressed concerning their weight -- regardless of what their weight was.

While childhood obesity could be a real drawback with real consequences, nobody edges when a baby, regardless of her age, feels dangerous concerning herself. As a parent, what can you do to help? stay positive and specialise in health, not weight, the consultants say. Here's the way to spot body image worries and facilitate your child develop a healthier self-image.


Children and Obesity: know the Signs of Poor Body Image

Sometime the signs of poor body image can be pretty clear, Stone tells WebMD. kids might raise, "Do I look fat?" or poke at their bellies. they'll stop eating foods that you simply know they get pleasure from, particularly around their peers. "Sometimes they'll comment on what alternative youngsters are eating -- saying things like, 'That's not good for you,'" Stone says.

Less obvious signs that children are worried concerning their weight might include:

General anxiety
Not taking part in activities with alternative youngsters
Using negative language to describe their bodies
Not wanting to participate in activities where people may even see more of their bodies, like sleepovers or swimming
General depression
Comments like "no one likes me"
Boosting vanity When youngsters Are Worried concerning Their Weight

Whether your young child is overweight or not, you'll be able to facilitate him feel higher concerning himself -- and instill healthy habits -- with these tips from health and child nutrition experts:

Focus on health.

Don't let a young child's appearance, size, or form become a preoccupation of yours or hers. "Try to keep the focus on health," says Chris Tiongson, MD, a pediatrician in Fargo, N.D.

Help young youngsters relate to their health in terms they'll understand. whereas kids between age 5 and seven might not grasp the that means of future health issues like high blood pressure, Tiongson says, they'll see how a healthier body can create their life higher without delay. for instance, being healthier might mean they'll play longer at recess or have more energy at soccer observe.

Measure success in healthy changes, not numbers on the scale.

With terribly young kids, it is vital to specialise in adopting new ways of doing things, rather than on weight loss. In fact, some consultants advocate discouraging young youngsters from even weighing themselves. However, if your daughter is struggling with obesity after age ten, you'll wish to speak with her doctor concerning alternative ways to assist.