Dr. Nguyen Do Van Anh, head of the School Nutrition Department at the National Institute of Nutrition, says childhood overweight and obesity are increasingly common, becoming a concern for many families. When a child shows signs of this, weight management is crucial for balanced development between height and weight, and for establishing long-term healthy habits.

Weight loss strategies should be based on a comprehensive health assessment, the degree of obesity, and related factors to improve current health, minimize the risk of chronic diseases in the future, and support the child's harmonious physical and mental development.

Here are 4 tips to help parents support obese children in managing their weight:

Establish a reasonable diet. Families should limit energy-rich but nutrient-poor foods like fried foods and those high in oil, replacing them with boiled or steamed dishes. To make meals more appealing, instead of simply boiling vegetables, parents can create new dishes such as lemongrass-steamed chicken, ginger-steamed fish, or cabbage rolls. Presenting food in a lively way, such as cutting vegetables into fun shapes, will also encourage children to be more enthusiastic about healthy meals.

Fast food, sweets, sugary drinks should be minimized, and keeping snacks out of the child's sight is recommended. Instead, prioritize unsweetened or low-fat milk. Parents should encourage children to eat at least 250g of vegetables and fruits daily and drink enough filtered water instead of bottled sugary drinks. A child should drink 1,200 ml of water per day. The calculation for water intake is: Water intake (ml) = Weight (kg) x 30. For example, if your child weighs 20 kg, their daily water requirement would be: 20 kg × 30 ml = 600 ml.

An effective method is to involve children in meal preparation. When they participate, they tend to be more willing to try the food they create.

Increase physical activity. Encourage, but don't force, children to be physically active for at least 60 minutes per day through activities like running, jumping rope, playing soccer, swimming, cycling, climbing stairs, babysitting, playing with pets, etc., rather than being sedentary. Parents should arrange for children to have outdoor playtime and participate in physical activities with them to monitor and encourage their activity.

Don't let children sit still in a chair or in front of a screen for more than an hour at a time. Limit screen time to under an hour a day; the less, the better.

Change lifestyle habits. Have children eat on time, eat enough meals, eat more in the morning, gradually decrease food intake towards the evening, and avoid eating after 8 pm. Ensure adequate sleep; children should sleep 10-13 hours daily and go to bed before 9 pm. Maintaining a regular schedule for eating, sleeping, and playing will create a healthy lifestyle.

Monitoring and professional advice. Take children for regular health checkups to monitor weight, height, and related indicators. If necessary, consult nutritionists for appropriate dietary advice for children. Weight management in obese children requires a combination of a reasonable diet, increased physical activity, and lifestyle changes. Early intervention will help children develop healthily and prevent obesity-related diseases in the future.

Le Nga