HELP FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS WITH OBESITY

CoreLife offers individualized plans for children and teens that will include personalized one-on-one personal training, nutrition counseling and may include medication.

For children that struggle with obesity, maintaining a healthy weight can be lifelong battle. We feel that it is crucial to begin developing healthy habits early in life. At CoreLife we are dedicated to helping children and teens get started on the right path. Studies show that children that develop proper activity and nutrition habits demonstrate a higher rate of achieving and maintaining proper body weight throughout their life.

  • 1/3 of children and teens in the U.S. are overweight
  • The number of overweight children has doubled in the past 25 years
  • Overweight children often will face social discrimination, low self-esteem, and depression
  • The overweight children of today have a 70 percent chance of becoming an overweight or obese adult and face those major health problems

These recommendations for kids' weight loss apply equally well to families who want to prevent obesity. Everyone can benefit from better nutrition and more physical activity.

Be active

Spend An Hour A Day Moving
Help kids fit in at least 60 minutes of fitness every day (for weight loss and maintenance). That might mean 20 minutes walking to and from school, 15 minutes of physical play at recess, and 25 minutes of basketball either informally or at a practice with teammates. Make sure your child has the gear he needs to have fun and be safe (baseball mitt, bike helmet, etc.), but remember there are lots of ways to be active that require little or no equipment.

Stock Up On Fruits And Vegetables
Encourage your child to eat five or more servings a day. This helps crowd out less nutritious choices and gives your child lots of vitamins and antioxidants. Try the "rainbow challenge": How many different colors of fruits and veggies can he eat in a day? A week?

Be A Role Model To Inspire Kids' Weight Loss
Set a good example for your child by choosing a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise yourself. You don't have to become a marathon runner overnight, but adding a walk after dinner or a yoga class in the morning helps a lot. Challenge yourself to use your car less and your bike (or your feet) more.

Cut Out Beverages Sweetened With Sugar
Swap soda for water, low-fat milk, or juice (but limit juice to 4 to 8 ounces a day, since it contains natural sugars and lots of calories).

Limit Screen Time
Shut off the TV set (or computer, or video game console) after a max of two hours a day. This frees up time for more physical activity and can contribute to kids' weight loss.

Eat Breakfast Every Day
This helps your child avoid snacking on empty calories because she's "sooooo hungry." Provide a morning meal that includes whole grains, fruit, and protein. Skipping meals doesn't promote weight loss, for kids or adults!

Take Tv's Out Of Bedrooms
Kids who have a television in the room where they sleep watch more (and play less). Keep your set in a communal area so you can monitor usage. Better yet, put it inside a cabinet with a door: out of sight, out of mind!

Eat At Home
Yes, you can make healthy choices at restaurants and even your favorite fast-food spot, but it's a lot easier to control your family's fat and calorie intake if you prepare food at home.