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Parents' Corner
An Approach to Weight Management
This advice is adapted from :An Approach to Weight Management in Children and Adolescents (2-18 years) in Primary Care.
Produced for the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and National Obesity Forum
by Penny Gibson, Laurel Edmunds, David W Haslam, Elizabeth Poskitt
For full document please see www.rcpch.ac.uk
General strategy
> No weight gain as height increases.
> Weight gain slower than height gain.
> Negotiate realistic goals and monitoring plans.
> Keep a positive attitude!
> Always consider the feelings and sensitivities of each child or adolescent.
Remember
Rapid weight loss and strict dieting are not appropriate for growing children unless under specialist care. Children over 7 years old with obesity and / or complications may benefit from gradual weight loss e.g. 0.5kg / month. If adolescents have stopped growing, weight loss of around 0.5kg / week may be appropriate.
Action
- Successful interventions involve the family and are tailored to each individual. Parents are important role models, particularly for younger children. Weight gain is controlled by addressing eating habits, physical activity and inactivity, psycho-social and family issues.
- The multi-disciplinary team needed may include GP, Practice Nurse, Health Visitor, School Nurse and other professionals if available e.g. Paediatric Dietician, Clinical Psychologist, Community Paediatrician.
Physical activity suggestions:
- Any increase in activity will help.
- Aim for sustainable lifestyle activity such as walking, cycling, using the stairs instead of lifts.
- Develop an active lifestyle in the whole family.
- Walk or cycle to school.
- Encourage active play that is enjoyable and activities that do not cause embarrassment.
- Decrease TV viewing and other sedentary behaviours.
Dietary suggestions:
- A balanced, varied diet for the whole family.
- Meals at regular times; avoid grazing and TV snacks.
- Smaller portions.
- Avoid using food / snacks as rewards or treats.
- Healthy snacks (e.g. fruit) as alternatives to sweets, chocolates, crisps, nuts, biscuits, cakes.
- Less energy dense food e.g. semi-skimmed milks, low fat spreads.
- Whole foods which take time to eat e.g. fruits and wholemeal bread.
- At least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables per day.
- Low calorie drinks (preferably water).
- Grill, boil or bake foods without added fat, rather than frying.
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