Kids Healthy Weight

There are a large number of children in North America that is overweight or obese and the number is getting larger every day. It is, however, easier for children to lose weight than it is for adults. Children are still growing and their hormones make it easier to shed those unwanted pounds.

One of the first things we can do to assist children in losing weight is to educate them on healthy food choices. Next, we need to adjust their eating habits. Parents set bad examples for children, who do not eat well to begin with. Items like cookies, soft drinks, cake, and fast foods need to be removed from their diets.

Their Body Mass Index (BMI) can determine a child's healthy weight. To figure out what your child's BMI is all you need to do is a simple calculation of your child's current weight divided by their height (in inches) squared (or multiplied by itself) and multiply your result by 703. The sum you get is your child's BMI. You will then need to use the following BMI Chart to determine where your child falls:

A child with a BMI of 18.5 and below is considered underweight.

A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered normal

A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight

A BMI of 30 to 39.9 is considered obese

A BMI of 40 and above is morbidly obese

Do not be too alarmed if your child's BMI results in them being overweight or obese, because things like your child's frame and genetics are not taken into consideration and they play a large role in determining a child's healthy weight.

The next thing you need to do to make sure your child has a healthy weight is to make them get up off the sofa and exercise. Children need approximately 30 to 60 minutes of activity per day to get or stay in shape. They do not have to do them all at the same time but if throughout the day, their physical activity totals 30 to 60 minutes you will get the same results.

You should never force your child to exercise simply find something fun that they like to do and encourage them to do it. There is any number of things like jumping rope, bike riding, having water or snowball fights, playing some type of sports activity, that will help your child lose unwanted pounds or maintain a healthy weight.

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