By Anna Cortesi
Many times the phenomenon of childhood obesity tends to be ignored in the family. In particular, parents are resting on the belief that their child will grow taller and lose their unnecessary weight will disappear without any effort on their part. However, if the child is obese, it is not just wishes and hopes that with growth the child will achieve the ideal weight automatically. Therefore, it is necessary to have a targeted partnership with a professional who is thoroughly familiar with the science of nutrition. In short, the contribution of a dietitian is needed.
Where Will the Dietitian Help?
A dietician will ensure that the whole family is educated in the field of healthy eating. Without overdoing the dieting part and with properly structured nutrition advice, the dietitian should enrich the family’s meals with the right choices and should constantly provide incentives for extra exercise. As a result of working in harmony with other health professionals (gymnasts, psychologists, etc.), the dietitian will seek to build sound developmental bases for the obese child. Instead of focusing on appearance, the dietitian emphasizes the importance of proper nutrition to a person’s good health. Therefore, they are the link that combine the taste, the exercise and the nutrients of healthy eating choices. Furthermore, diet should not be considered as something transient and restrictive. Instead, a healthy diet should cover all the needs of the child and the family, without deprivation and without excessive diet instructions.
What Dangers Prevent Proper Nutrition
It is important that we all understand the dangers we could be avoiding by adopting a healthy diet. Knowing how many health problems are directly or indirectly related to obesity (child or adult), we can encourage our children to pursue a healthier diet ourselves. More specifically, obesity is responsible for problems such as:
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Cancer
- Depression
- Sleep apnea
- Asthma
- Disorders in the liver
Numerous health problems can make us to realize that childhood obesity is far more important than just the aesthetic part emphasized by society. Parents, please welcome the professional dietician into your family’s life. They are the experts who will lead you to a healthy and nutritious lifestyle change!