Parents often think their child will outgrow the obesity. The reality is that parents are in denial and it is especially harmful because obese children are at increased risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol to list a few health concerns.

It is not a surprise any longer that the U.S. is facing a serious epidemic regarding the percentage of children who range from overweight to obese and that these children are at serious risk for diseases that once were considered adult only afflictions.  What is a surprise is the number of parents who do not feel their child has a serious problem.  In a recent poll, parents with obese or very overweight children ages six to eleven years old were asked about their child’s weight.  The answers were surprising; 43% of parents said their child was at the weight they should be, 37% said their child was slightly overweight, only 13% actually saw that their child was very overweight.  Amazingly, there were few who even responded their child was slightly underweight.  Obviously, many parents are in denial about their children’s weight.

The same poll found different results for children ages twelve to seventeen. It appears parents feel their child’s weight problem is more severe as they get older. Results showed 56% felt their child was slightly overweight, 31% felt their child was very overweight and 11% felt the weight was about right and a few again felt their child was slightly underweight.

Parents often think their child will outgrow the obesity.  The reality is that parents are in denial and it is especially harmful because obese children are at increased risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol to list a few health concerns.  In addition, studies have confirmed that obese and overweight children tend to become obese or overweight adults.

The first step in correcting this problem is to educate parents so that they are able to clearly see their child’s weight for what it is.  This needs to be done at the yearly doctor checkups. A child’s BMI as well as cholesterol should become a standard part of routine well-child visits and subsequent counseling for the child and parents should be part of the appointment as well.  This will help parents to assess their child honestly as well as correct behaviors or patterns in between appointments.

There are two obvious changes parents can make to their child’s lifestyle immediately to begin to reverse the obesity/ overweight problem; improve nutrition and increase physical activity.  Parents need to realize the dangers of fast foods, foods high in fats, beverages loaded with calories and the snack choices being made.  Limiting the choices in the home to nutritious snacks of fruits, vegetables and whole grains may not eliminate that children will find junk food at school but allows the child to learn about healthy choices and sets a good example.  Getting involved with children’s activities and spending time with them outdoors instead of attached to video games also gives the child the opportunity to get exercise in a fun environment and spend quality time with mom and dad.

By Christina Leon, Staff Writer