Overweight Toddlers | Signs of Obesity in Children

Obesity in toddlers between two and three years of age is not that unusual in our society. The reasons for this are almost certainly due to a lack of exercise combined with a bad diet. Diet in Toddlers is very important, and foods which contain 'empty calories' such as cakes, biscuits, chocolate, ice cream and fizzy drinks are not providing the necessary balance of proteins and minerals for a healthy lifestyle.

Overweight and obese school aged children are more likely to be the victims of bullying behaviors than their normal weight peers. As weight increases so do the odds of being the victim of aggression in school.

Setting a good example is the best thing you can do for your child. Children look to adults as the role models for how they should do things. Eating is no different. If your toddler sees you having a healthy snack, he will want to do the same. Let your children see you drink low fat milk, munch on some carrots, slice and eat an apple, eat oatmeal for breakfast, or pass on seconds.

Parents should be aware of their child's weight and activity level. Measuring a child's height and weight can help you identify if your child is considered obese, based on their ideal weight for sex, height and age, using the Body Mass Index. If your child is significantly beyond their ideal weight, they may be obese, though this is not the only consideration involved.

Do you know milk has its own food group? There are so many types of milk out there you can make your child drink such as cow milk, soy milk, condensed milk, almond milk, and the like. If you think after your child has crossed the age of 3 milk is no longer important then you are wrong my friend.

Childhood obesity has become so prominent in our society, that authorities have labeled it as a national epidemic! Now is the time we must take action. 1 of every 3 children in our country is overweight. We must take action now for the sake of our children and our society as a whole.

Babies who were obese at 9 months old tended to remain obese at their second birthday, and the majority of normal weight infants maintained their normal weight status. Seventy-five percent of infants who were considered normal-weight at 9 months remained normal at 2 years; the remaining 25% became either obese or overweight.

In planning a healthy weight loss diet, parents generally can promote a healthier lifestyle for the whole family. In fact,getting the whole family involved in a the diet is better than preparing a special diet for the child who is obese or overweight.

Take your children with you when you go shopping and when you prepare meals as much as possible. Take the time to learn about their preferences and use the opportunities to teach them about the importance of nutrition and the benefits of healthy eating for kids.

If your child, or grandchild, is overweight or obese by established standards and exhibits attention/concentration symptoms, chemical sweetener additive may be the direct cause. Aspartame has a strong tie to ADD although it remains to be conclusive as whether it caused the disease or escalated a mild case.

Everyone in America is at risk for these health problems due to our poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyles. Our kids learn by playing, and when they play, they imitate what they see adults do. Being a good example naturally is the best way of teaching your children.