Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Neeraj Kumar
MD, DCH – HOD of Paediatrics, Motherhood Chaitanya Hospital
Introduction
Obesity in kids is common these days and leads to multiple chronic conditions. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), childhood obesity is a serious health concern around the world. If left uncontrolled, obesity can start affecting your child negatively and lead to serious health issues including diabetes. Hence, the best child doctor in Chandigarh suggests maintaining a healthy weight for your child.
One of the best ways to ensure that your child is at optimal weight is with the help of the best BMI calculator for children. A body mass index calculator for children can help you in making changes to the diet of your children and protect them from being overweight.
Parenting Tips: Encourage Regular Physical Activity, Limit Screen Time, Promote Outdoor Play,Limit Sugary Drinks, Pack Healthy Lunches, Encourage Breakfast, Provide Nutrient-Rich Meals
What is the BMI Calculator for Children and Teenagers?
Body mass index is a screening to assess a child’s weight status. It is calculated by dividing weight in kg with height in metre square.. A BMI calculator for kids uses standardized body mass index charts that can help you gauge the health of your child.
What Does Body Mass Index Chart with Age Mean?
A mass index calculator for teenagers shows your child’s measurement compared with children of the same gender and age. It includes three categories:
Underweight:
If your child is underweight, his BMI would show below the 5th percentile.
Healthy Weight:
If your child has a healthy weight, his BMI would either be equal to or greater than the 5th percentile and less than the 85th percentile.
Overweight:
If your child is overweight, his BMI would be equal to or greater than the 85th percentile but less than the 95th percentile.
Obese:
If your child is obese, his BMI would be above the 95th percentile.
You can check your child’s BMI by adding measurements here.
How to Avoid Obesity in Children?
The best child doctor in Chandigarh shares the below tips to prevent obesity in children:
Encourage Good Eating Habits:
Your child may not start eating healthy food out of nowhere. Being a parent, you would need to inculcate good eating habits in them to maintain their weight. You can cook tasty healthy recipes for your children and eat fondly with them. This will also inspire them to eat healthy.
Do Not Introduce Junk to Them:
Children are more inclined towards consuming junk including chips, chocolates, fries, and aerated drinks. All these foodstuffs are packed with high salt,sugar and trans fats that are extremely harmful to health. Children of growing age require nutritious food instead of junk. Make sure that you do not introduce junk to them early.
Avoid Ultra-processed Foods:
These foods are loaded with preservatives and coloring agents to increase their shelf life, which are harmful for health of children
Introduce Healthy Snacking:
Avoiding junk does not mean that you cannot give them anything to snack on. Replace fried and packaged food with healthy alternatives including fresh fruits, fruit salads, Greek yoghurt, nuts, and so on. This will also give them the required nutrients and improve their gut health.
Introduce Variety:
It is extremely normal for your child to get bored of your diet alternatives quickly. Children need tasty food options. In addition, they cannot eat one type of food or snack every day. To avoid them from getting bored, include a variety of food.
Increase Physical Activity:
It is recommended that children should have at least one hour of exertional physical activity. It not only helps in preventing excess weight gain but also strengthens bones and muscles.
Limit Screen Time:
Excess screen time is not only harmful for the body but also impacts mental health of children. No screen time for children below two years of age, and maximum of 2 hours of screen time for older children is recommended.
Be an Example
Kids learn more via a practical approach than a theoretical one. You may tell them all the benefits of nutritious food and they may still not show any interest. However, if you lead an example, engage in regular physical activity and eat the healthy alternatives with them, it will also encourage them to eat with you and play outdoor games
Conclusion
Obesity in children is a growing concern. This is also one of the main reasons why diabetes and heart disease are becoming prevalent among kids in India. To avoid this from happening with your child, make sure that you measure their BMI and encourage them to eat healthy. For expert advice, you can consult our paediatricians at Motherhood Chaitanya Hospitals.
FAQs:
A healthy BMI (Body Mass Index) for children varies based on age and gender. Generally, it falls between the 5th and 85th percentiles on growth charts.
Parents can lead by example by eating balanced meals themselves and offering a variety of nutritious foods at home. Involving children in meal planning and preparation can also make healthy eating more appealing.
Regular physical activity is crucial for children's overall health and helps maintain a healthy BMI. Encouraging activities they enjoy, such as sports or outdoor play, can make exercise fun and habitual.
Using smaller plates and serving appropriate portion sizes can help children learn to listen to their hunger cues and prevent overeating. Offering a balanced plate with plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains is key.
Making fruits and vegetables readily available and appealing, such as by keeping a bowl of washed fruit on the counter or offering vegetable sticks with dip, can encourage children to consume more of these nutritious foods.
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