Dear Timi,
My three year old son was recently diagnosed as overweight. His six year old sister faces similar problems, being borderline obese. Our doctor, who has known both my children since birth, says I shouldn’t worry too much because they will outgrow the extra weight over time. My husband and I have weight issues as well and so do most members of both our families. My husband says that we are just a bunch of “extra large” people and should accept that as a fact of nature. But I’m concerned about my kids’ health in the future. Your thoughts?
Dear Concerned Mother,
Yes, I think you should be quite concerned about your kids’ weight gain and you should do everything in your power to turn this unhealthy situation around as quickly as possible. Too many people readily accept the idea that their physical health is a matter of genetics and therefore beyond their control – and responsibility. While family history must be taken into account, it is too simple to blame your genetic makeup to explain away the serious but preventable health problems your kids are facing.
There are a number of factors that can set a child on the path of obesity in the early stages of life, and the roots may go back further than you think, even before birth. There are indications that women who are obese and/or suffer from diabetes before and during pregnancy are more likely to pass their health problems on to their offspring, even in the womb. Exposure to certain pollutants, smoking and drug use during pregnancy have certainly an impact. Paradoxically, some children become obese in later years, even if they were underweight at birth.
Events and omissions occurring during the first few months may factor in as well. For example, babies who are not breast fed or don’t get enough sleep are more likely to suffer from weight gain later on.
Traditionally, parents have been discouraged to restrict their children’s calorie intake before the age of five, even if weight problems developed. Today, we are more concerned with baby fat over the age of two, simply because not all children outgrow the extra weight but, instead, grow up obese.
I personally believe that the social and environmental conditions in which children are brought up are much more significant than their genetic predisposition when it comes to nutrition. Your kids may have a tendency toward weight gain based on their metabolism. But the quality and quantity of the food they eat is largely controlled by you, the parents – at least while they are still this young. If you are concerned about your kids’ health, the best you can do is to change their environment, starting with your home. And leading by example is always the best way to direct their behavior. I wish you the best of luck for your entire family.
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