After shocking figures showing that childhood obesity has risen to new heights in England, health and fitness professionals have offered their advice on how parents can manage the situation.
Yesterday’s NHS Digital data revealed that one-third of children are now obese, as opposed to the one-in-10 before Covid.
The figures were labelled alarming by obesity campaign groups, who warned that school closings and lockdowns have taken a significant toll on children’s physical health and increased health inequalities.
FEMAIL has spoken with UK doctors from the wellness and health industries to discuss how worried parents can manage their child’s weight by exercising and shopping consciously.
Experts suggest that parents ‘consciously shop for’ fake food and make sure they cook healthy meals for their children who are overweight. This is after alarming official statistics showed that childhood obesity rates rose to new heights in England during Covid (stock photo).
1. ‘CONSCIOUS’ SUPERMARKET SHOPPING
The Prescription Doctor’s Dr Giuseppe Aragona is a GP and Medical Advisor. He explained how education is crucial to helping kids eat healthy.
He said: ‘As a parent the best thing you can do to encourage your child to have a healthier balanced diet and to ensure they aren’t over eating is to educate them on foods and the food groups and try to conscious buy when you go shopping.
“Conscious shopping is basically a way to shop that ensures you only buy healthy foods and not sugary drinks.
Dr Aragona said, “As a parent, you do the shopping and cook the meals so it is important to try new healthy recipes and make sure your children are eating nutritious foods.”
It isn’t a smart idea to remove all sugary snacks or unhealthy food from the home. However, you can explain to your child it is okay for them to have a snack. But, they might prefer to have a piece instead of a chocolate bar.
Jenny Pacey, Hollywood trainer and Bio-Synergy ambassador, explained: ‘Stacking the fridge with healthy delicious wholefoods is a great alternative to cupboards full of processed snacks like crisps and crackers.’
“And create healthy meals for the week. Putting together healthy food combinations so that your child is empowered to choose healthy, nutritious food.
Meanwhile hypnotherapist Emily Hall said parents should ‘stop buying unhealthy foods’, adding: ‘Sounds simple but so many people don’t do this.
The principle of eating more food when food is within our reach means that we will eat more. If it is absolutely necessary to buy food for your family, then put it back in a cabinet where they can’t find it.
3. TEACH THE CHILD COOKING
Experts also recommended that children learn how to make their own food, which can improve an unhealthy relationship with food.
Dr Aragona explained that children should not be afraid of eating or see food as evil. Instead, they need to learn about different types and their nutritional value.
“You can do this by showing them how to cook healthy meals from scratch. This will cement a relationship that is open to learning.
Meanwhile Emily added: ‘Get them involved in the cooking and cook from scratch where possible, make it exciting by getting them to research recipes and give them responsibility in planning meals.’
4. DO NOT TREAT EXERCISE AS IF IT WERE ‘THE ENEMY.
Dr Aragona warned against treating exercise as a ‘foe’. He said: “Ensuring that they understand the benefits of exercise to their health not only how they look, but also how they feel and why it is good for them, the long-term health effects, the reasons behind the exercise.”
Try to encourage your children to participate in inclusive sports, such as biking, walking and riding their bike.
“Perhaps they will find that a sport they like can help them change their attitude toward exercise.
Jenny agreed and said that exercise is important along with healthy, whole-food nutrition.
Help your guard find an exercise that they love and include it in your weekly family routine, e.g. Wall climbing is a great option for Saturday mornings or family walks before dinner.
Emily suggested that exercise be fun.
It is difficult to get motivated for something that feels too hard. Say ‘Let’s go out and have some fun’ instead – much more exciting!’
6. Encourage better sleep habits
Jenny also said that it is possible to help a child with obesity, but not only through diet and exercise.
She advised: “Focus upon healthy habits and behaviors your child can control, and this will have a positive effect on their weight management.
“We cannot control the weight of our bodies or the amount of fat that we lose. But we can control the way we move and the water we consume, what food we eat, how healthy we eat, and how well we sleep.
To help her sleep better for the next 7-9 hours, she advised that devices be turned off at least 2 hours prior to bed.
“A good night’s sleep can reduce sugar and carb cravings.
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Emily also suggested that teens who struggle with weight could reduce their social media usage.
She stated that ‘Reduce the sedentary activities like gaming and scrolling on smartphones as these can lead to mindless eating and not fully being present in what we’re eating.
To reduce feelings of inadequacy, limit social media. Although we know many things aren’t true, kids don’t. They try to achieve the impossible.