How do I determine if my child is overweight or obese?

Your doctor or pediatrician determines whether or not your child is overweight by comparing your child’s weight and height ratio to their age and growth patterns.

What causes obesity in children?

Some of the most common causes are: genetic factors, lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating patterns, or a combination of these factors. In rare cases being overweight is caused by a medical condition such as hormonal problems. A child’s activity level and diet are one of the most important factors in determining a child’s weight. Currently, children spend an average of 4 hours a day watching television, gaming or using computers!

Are obese or overweight children at greater risk for disease?

These children are at risk for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, early heart disease, diabetes, bone problems, and skin conditions. A study done tracking thousands of children through adulthood found that heavier children were twice as likely as the thinnest to die prematurely, before age 55, of either illness or a self-inflicted injury

How can I help my overweight child?

• First, be supportive of your child. Often their feelings about themselves are based on your feelings about them.
• Accepting your child at any weight will help them feel good about themselves.
• Discuss your child’s weight with them and allow them to share their concerns with you.
• Be a positive example! Go on a family walk, go biking, or swimming together. Engage your child in family game nights requiring movement.
• Evaluate the family diet. Decrease or eliminate sodas, chips, candy, fast food or processed meals. Try integrating a more balanced diet with fruits, vegetables and low-fat protein options like chicken, fish or tofu.

How can a physical therapist help?

The physical therapist evaluates aerobic capacity, postural control, motor and sensory function, balance, endurance and gait. From the assessment, the therapist develops a specialized plan/treatment focusing on safe/efficient movements, aligned posture, flexibility, balance, strength, and endurance. A home exercise program helps the family continue with the child’s success and progress towards a healthy lifestyle.

What is Babywearing?

Babywearing is the practice of wearing or carrying a baby in a sling or in another form of carrier. Babywearing hs been practiced for centuries around the world and has gained popularity in the industrialized world in recent decades.

What can Babywearing do for you and your baby?

Babywearing is awesome for bonding with baby as you are always touching your baby when babywearing. Because your hands are free you are able to get more done while still having your hands available to touch baby. Babywearing promotes your baby’s healthy development and assists in preventing or lessening David Bakhtiari Youth Jersey Torticollis and Flat Head Syndrome (plagiocephaly).

While babywearing you are able to check that your baby Davon House Authentic Jersey gets equal head-turning. You are able to catch any asymmetries in head turning and try simple strategies to help your little one stretch and strengthen out of them.

Babywearing can be great for your baby’s development, when it’s done safely and correctly. There are tons of different styles of slings, wraps and carriers and each should come with directions and safety information to follow. But here’s one safety check you’ve probably never heard of that is super important for your baby’s health and development.

Newborns most often rest a cheek against your chest when worn while older babies frequently lean their heads back from your chest and turn to look around while worn. Regardless of your baby’s age and what type of sling, wrap or structured carrier you use, check which direction your baby’s head is most often turned when worn.

If you notice your baby spending more time looking one direction or with one cheek to your chest more than the other, help and encourage your baby to turn the opposite direction.