How to Help Kids Lose Weight Easily

Helping kids to lose weight can be a challenge. No one likes to be told that she should lose weight, and kids are no different. A sudden effort to "lose weight" can backfire, causing your child to feel bad about herself. Instead, you should focus on "getting healthy," and weight loss will happen as a result. As a parent, it's your job to make sure that your children eat healthy foods and get enough exercise. So involve the whole family rather than singling out one member.

Instructions

1

Talk to a pediatrician or nutritionist about your child's daily caloric needs. If you go below his needs, it could cause problems with his metabolism, resulting in a lifelong battle with weight. Once you know how many calories you should aim for, plan meals accordingly.

2

Plan healthy meals for the family. The whole family should start to eat healthier foods that are low in calories and fat but nutrient-dense. Eat an abundance of vegetables and make the switch to whole grains, if you haven't already done so. Measuring portion sizes is an important part of calorie control. Because of this, you may want to serve foods onto dinner plates in the kitchen instead of serving meals family style. This gives you more control over what your child is eating.

3

Choose healthy snacks to serve your children. Even though you plan healthy meals, snacks can present a problem, especially if you think about snacks in terms of chips, cookies and candy. You want your child to eat healthy snacks like vegetables with hummus instead of junk food. To encourage this, stop buying unhealthy foods. It's not fair if only one child has to go on a diet while the rest of the family eats junk foods. Instead, stock your refrigerator with healthy snacks, including fresh fruit and low-fat yogurt, that are just as easy to grab as a bag of chips.

4

Make fitness a family affair. Parents who are sedentary tend to have children who are sedentary. Set a good example for your child by exercising together. You can make a plan to go for a walk or bike ride after dinner or after school. Alternatively, you can purchase a Wii and play games together as a family. During weekends, plan activities that encourage exercise. Purchase a backyard trampoline. Rather than taking a trip to the movie theater, plan a trip to the local park and go for a hike. The winter time may be cold, but it's the perfect chance to go sledding. Walking up the hill several times can be a great workout.