TO YOUR HEALTH: Childhood obesity: Numbers rising

By Dr. Terry Shlimbaum
   How do you know if the excess weight your child is carrying is part of the natural growth process, or if the extra pounds are having a negative impact on his or her health? As the numbers of obese children rise, pediatricians and childhood obesity researchers report a definite escalation of obesity-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension and elevated cholesterol – once considered adult conditions.
   Children are beginning to mirror their elders in showing metabolic syndrome. There’s no true agreement on the definition of this syndrome, but most experts include obesity, elevated blood sugar, hypertension and elevated cholesterol as associated health problems.
   It is important for parents to be sensitive to obese youngsters and focus on small achievable weight loss goals to avoid disappointment. Involve the entire family. Successful weight-control programs involve both parents and the child.
   Here are some suggested treatments for childhood obesity:
   — Dietary therapy – Consult with a dietitian/nutritionist who specializes in children’s needs. Severe calorie restriction or fad diets may be harmful to a child’s health and affect growth and development. Diets that are too restrictive do not teach children how to eat. When food is restricted, children and even adults tend to overeat. Nutrition counseling is focused on teaching children and their parents to make health decisions about food realistic, making gradual changes in food and exercise habits.
   — Physical activity – The U.S. Surgeon General recommends at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity for children every day. Find activities your child enjoys, such as bike riding or jogging together.
   — Behavior therapy – Behavior therapy involves changing both diet and physical activity, such as recording diet and exercise patterns in a diary; identifying high-risk situations such as watching TV during meal times; and setting weekly goals. Behavior therapy should involve parents and other family members.
   Obesity in children and adolescents is a critical issue with many health and social consequences that often extend into adulthood. Prevention programs and a better understanding of treatment for youngsters are necessary to control the obesity epidemic.
   Hunterdon Medical Center offers two weight-management programs for children. Shape Down, a one-on-one program with the child and parent, promotes changes in food habits, exercise and self-esteem. The other program, Weigh to Go, is a non-diet approach to weight loss. For information on these programs call Hunterdon Medical Center’s Community Nutrition Department at 908-788-6136.