Over 15% of children are currently classed as obese, with many more every year becoming excessively overweight. Because of this children’s weight loss programmes are becoming much more popular with parents across the country.
However – there’s no point trying to put your child on a programme similar to an adult’s. Children’s weight loss programmes should take into account their needs - and they should be lots of fun! Whether you’re trying to stop further weight gain or start a full children’s weight loss programme, we can help get you started.
We can even connect you with a specialised trainer in your area, or online. These experts can provide personalised diet and exercise programmes tailor-made for weight loss in children.
Children’s weight loss – fun and effective
- Set a good example! Join your child in sports and fitness activities; prepare healthy, delicious food for you and your family - don’t try giving your children broccoli if you’re tucking into a pizza!
- Don’t get too bogged down in counting calories or keeping up with the latest “fad diet” – just try to stick to a simple, healthy balanced diet. You can read more about this in our children’s nutrition section.
- Make sure that you understand the basics of nutrition yourself and know which types of food you should include in a balanced diet.
- Try and encourage your child to join in with school sports teams or sign up for a local sports or activities club. There are literally hundreds of options. Find out more on our children’s sports and fitness page.
- Try and get fruit and vegetables into your child’s diet using stealth! For example, chop peppers, tomatoes and a little spinach, mix with cheese and grill between two tortillas for a nutritious snack that kids will love.
- Don’t fill your child’s packed lunch with unhealthy snacks, processed foods and junk. Try and swap crisps for grapes, chocolate for low-sugar cereal bars, white bread for granary and so on.
- Make sure you try and include a balance of vegetables, low-fat protein, grain, fruits and fibre
- Avoid saturated fat, unrefined sugar and lots of salt
- Don’t cave in just because your child doesn’t want to try something or doesn’t like it first time round. Try to get them to eat it and have a healthy back up in mind if they absolutely can’t.
Children’s weight loss – ask the experts
Children’s weight loss and nutrition is a complicated subject. Although every child should require a generally healthy diet and exercise, not every child develops at the same rate. Some will always have a little extra weight as they grow up – so try not to put too much pressure on them to lose lots of weight.
You may also want to speak to a dietician if your child seems to have an allergy or intolerance to a particular food type. You may also want to work alongside a professional personal trainer who can guide your child on the path to fitness.
Contact us to find a dietician or children’s weight loss personal trainers in your area, or online.
