Body Image, Parent Intervention Crucial to Childhood Obesity Prevention

A study posted by the Cochrane Library says childhood obesity prevention begins with parents. Additionally, home and school prevention programs need to address children’s body image issues, not just their body mass index. A Pediatrics study says more family risk factors predispose a child to obesity, but children can self-regulate with parent support. Here are findings about childhood obesity and new directions in weight management.

Many children start school overweight

One-third of those ages 2 to 19 are overweight and 17 percent are obese, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2009. Children are deemed overweight if they fall in the 85-or-greater percentile. According to a November Pediatrics study, 40 percent of children enter kindergarten with BMIs in the over-75 percentile.

Children gain weight in elementary, level off in middle school

The period for greatest weight gain in children is in elementary school, notably from kindergarten to the third grade, the Pediatrics BMI research says. Children who started in higher growth percentiles generally continue to gain weight through elementary. By middle school, weight gain for most children has slowed or stopped.

Weight problems begin at home

The BMI research concludes early parenting habits can make or break childhood obesity trends. The December Pediatrics study concurs. 244 children at age 9 and again at 13 were tested. They had varying numbers of obesity risk factors in their environment. More risk factors made children less able to self-regulate their weight and more vulnerable to weight gain in middle school.

Start early and don’t overlook body image issues

The Cochrane Library’s Melbourne School of Population Health study recommends parents begin obesity prevention before school. My Health Daily News quotes study author Elizabeth Waters’ one caution: “Obesity prevention programs in general are not harming children. However, programs that don’t make a commitment to preventing body image issues might hurt children by stigmatizing overweight children or send unhealthy messages about body image.” Parents and schools need to teach about healthy eating, physical activity and body image, as they improve nutrition and provide physical activity, she added.

Marilisa Kinney Sachteleben writes about parenting from 23 years raising four children and 25 years teaching K-8, special needs, adult education and home-school.


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