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Obesity in children Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, March 2009.

Answers to questions about obesity in children

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

 

I'm finding it difficult to get my child to eat healthily. How can I encourage him/her to try new food?

Children can be quite fussy eaters and it's often a challenge to get them to try new things. Try getting your child involved in preparing meals with you and gradually introduce healthy options to your child's regular food. Think about healthy ways to prepare your child's favourite food so it's nutritious and your child will still enjoy it.

Explanation

Trying to get your child to eat healthily can be a challenge, but there are a number of ways you can get him/her to try healthier foods without completely changing his/her diet.

  • Getting your child involved in preparing the food with you is a good way to get him/her interested in cooking and different food groups. This should make him/her want to try new food.
  • Try cooking your child's favourite food in a way that will reduce the fat content, for example by grilling or steaming. If you can, try replacing food like fish fingers with a portion of oily fish such as sardines or salmon. Boys can have up to four portions of oily fish a week, but girls should only have two portions a week.
  • Everyone should try to eat five portions of fruit or vegetables each day. To help your child reach this target you could try slowly introducing fruit or vegetables to his/her regular diet. Adding a portion of peas or broccoli to your child's regular meal is an easy way to get vegetables onto his/her plate without completely changing the food he/she eats.
  • Try adding some beans or other pulses to some of your child's meals when you're cooking - this will provide a good source of fibre.
  • Starchy foods and wholegrain are great sources of energy. Instead of making your child eat wholegrain cereals you could try mixing his/her normal cereal with a wholegrain variety. You could also try adding slices of fruit to his/her cereal. Some cereals can be high in sugar, so you should try to choose low-sugar options for your child.
  • Fizzy drinks are often high in sugar. You should try to replace them with fresh juices diluted with water, but if your child likes fizzy drinks you could try diluting the juice with sparkling water for a healthier alternative.
  • If you bake cakes and pastries, you could try halving the amount of sugar you put into them. This works with most recipes and your child probably won't be able to tell the difference.
  • Treats like chocolate and sweets don't need to be banned from your child's diet, but you could try and limit when your child has them. For example, you could save them for the weekend.

Further information

Sources

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Does my lifestyle during pregnancy and early motherhood increase the risk of my child being overweight?

Your lifestyle could influence the chance of your child becoming overweight. Smoking during pregnancy could increase the chance of your child becoming overweight when he/she gets older. There is some evidence that breastfeeding can reduce the risk of your child becoming overweight.

Explanation

Lifestyle choices during pregnancy and early motherhood may influence the growth of your child and could increase the risk of him/her becoming overweight or obese, as well as developing other problems.

It's important to eat a balanced and nutritious diet during pregnancy as this will help your child to grow and develop properly. There is some evidence that suggests a poor and unbalanced diet during pregnancy can increase the risk of your child becoming overweight in later life.

Smoking during pregnancy may increase the risk of your child becoming overweight or obese as he/she grows up. If you smoke during your pregnancy, your baby may be born small, but he/she may then grow and put on weight quickly. This could lead to your child becoming overweight. If you do smoke and are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, you should visit your GP for advice.

There is some evidence suggesting that breastfeeding your baby may help reduce the risk of him/her becoming overweight as he/she grows up. Breastfeeding has a number of health benefits for both you and your child, but it isn't always an option for every new mother. You should talk to your midwife about the possible benefits of breastfeeding and whether it's the best choice for you.

Further information

Sources

  • Warrell DA, Cox TM, Firth JD. Oxford Textbook of Medicine. 4th ed. Vol 1. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005:1066.
  • Reilly JJ, Armstrong J, Dorosty AR, et al. Early life risk factors for obesity in childhood: cohort study. BMJ 2005; 330:1357. www.bmj.com
  • Chen A, Pennell ML, Klebanoff MA, et al. Maternal smoking during pregnancy in relation to child overweight: follow-up to age 8 years. Int J Epidemiol 2006; 35:121-130. http://ije.oxfordjournals.org
  • Li L, Parsons TJ, Power C. Breast feeding and obesity in childhood: cross sectional study. BMJ 2003; 327:904-905. www.bmj.com
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Are there any medical conditions that can cause childhood obesity?

Yes, there are certain childhood conditions that can cause obesity, but these are rare.

Explanation

There are certain medical conditions that can cause obesity in children, but these aren't very common. Most children become overweight or obese because of a lack of exercise or poor diet.

The following are conditions that can cause obesity in children.

  • Genetic causes such as Prader-Willi syndrome can lead to childhood obesity. It also causes muscle weakness, small hands and feet, behavioural problems and learning difficulties.
  • Hormonal causes such as Cushing's syndrome can cause obesity.
  • Certain medicines, such as glucocorticoids (a type of steroid), can cause obesity in children if they are taken in high doses.

It's important to remember that the majority of children become overweight because of a lack of exercise or poor diet. It's very uncommon for children to become overweight because of a medical condition. If your child does have an underlying medical condition causing them to be overweight, they will usually have other symptoms.

Talk to your GP if you are worried about your child being overweight.

Further information

  • Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH)
    020 7092 6000
    www.rcpch.ac.uk

Sources

  • Obesity in children. Clinical evidence. 2006. http://clinicalevidence.bmj.com
  • Warrell DA, Cox TM, Firth JD. Oxford Textbook of Medicine. 4th ed. Vol 1. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005:243; 1065
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Related topics

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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: March 2009

 

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