Odessa knew that her
son Ramal was developing a weight problem. By the time he was in sixth grade he
was 56 inches tall, which is perfectly normal, but he weighed 100 pounds and he
looked heavy. Ramal's pediatrician warned that because of his weight, Ramal was
at increased risk for several health conditions:
• High blood pressure and elevated cholesterol, especially elevated "bad" LDL and triglycerides, are much more common in obese children.
• Type 2 diabetes,
which now accounts for up to 44% of newly diagnosed cases of diabetes in
childhood, reflecting the increase in obesity.
• Sleep apnea (the
obstruction of the airway during sleep resulting in a drop in blood oxygen
levels) is much more common in obese children. This condition can be associated
with nighttime bedwetting, morning fatigue, poor school performance, and many
other disorders. Children who feel exhausted will exercise less, compounding
the challenge of weight gain.
• Bone and joint
disorders, including a shift of the growth plate in the hip bone called
"slipped capital femoral epiphysis."
• Other disorders may
be related to obesity including liver and kidney diseases, and even a possible
increased risk of cancer.
Odessa knew that her
son had to get his weight under control, and that self-esteem was a significant
issue in more ways than one. Ramal’s weight made him self-conscious and made
him feel inferior to his peer group. On the other hand, Odessa wanted to make
sure that Ramal knew that he was loved unconditionally by his parents. She did
not know how to get her son to recognize that he had a problem without seeming
to judge him. It seemed contradictory: Yes, she and his father loved Ramal
unconditionally, but at the same time for his own good they had to make it
clear that he needed to change
How can Odessa engage
Ramal in a weight loss program that is effective and yet preserves his
self-esteem? Here are some guidelines:
Be a good role
model. Parents must set a good
example through their own good eating habits. Don’t undermine your child’s
weight loss program by your own "cheating"!
Make good health a
family affair. It’s not just Ramal’s problem, it’s the
family’s. Good nutrition and exercise should be things that the family does
together.
See the big
picture. Don’t try to make big
changes overnight. Experts say that incremental changes are best. It’s better
to aim for moderate long-term weight control than to suddenly say “no more
desserts!” and think the problem will be solved. It won’t.
Exercise! The flip side of consuming fewer calories is to
burn more calories. Kids who get out and play sports, or even ride bikes or
hike, are healthier and have fewer weight-related conditions than kids who are sedentary.
Focus on positive
talents. Ramal happened to have
an interest in playing chess. Odessa encouraged him to join the chess club at
school. His proficiency at the game helped him see himself as more than just an
overweight kid.
See your doctor. Your family physician can advise you when and if
more aggressive strategies, such as gastric-bypass or stomach-banding surgery,
are needed.
With determination and the guidance of health care professionals, Ramal and his
parents can work together ensure that Ramal has the opportunity to lead a
happy, productive life.
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