Healthy Weight Loss

Original Article @ Lose Weight USA

Healthy Weight Loss

Almost half of American adults are projected to be obese by the year 2030, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Experts said prevention is the best way to handle the problem and we should be starting with children of a very young age.

"For many parents, a chubby baby or a chubby toddler in their mind is a sign that they're doing something well,"

said Leslie Heinberg, PhD, a body image expert from the Cleveland Clinic.

A new study finds mothers of overweight toddlers typically have inaccurate perceptions of their child's body size.

"The mothers of the overweight kids were quite satisfied with their weight. So, the concern with this is rather than being a bit vigilant that their children are beginning to put on excess weight, the moms were perfectly satisfied. The chances of making any kind of behaviour change when you don't think there is a problem and you're satisfied is really next to none,"

said Heinberg.

Researchers from the University of Maryland studied nearly 300 mother-toddler pairs. The mothers were asked to select a silhouette that correctly reflected their child's true body size. Nearly 70 percent of mothers inaccurately assessed their toddler's body size.

Researchers said misperception of a child's size could lead to inappropriate feeding behaviours, like encouraging a healthy-weight child to eat more.

"When you're thinking about a 20-month old being underweight is probably the greatest risk because that has an impact on their cognitive development, as well as their physical and behavioural development. When we think about the kids that are overweight some of them may not proceed to being overweight as school-aged children or adolescents, but they're at greater risk of developing those problems with overweight and obesity,"

said Heinberg.

Heinberg said parents need to pay attention to their pediatrician's growth chart.

Overweight children are likely to be overweight teens who are likely to be overweight adults.

"It makes sense to focus on children to prevent obesity in the first place, but we also need to reach out to adults,"

said Health and Human Services secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

Sebelius spoke at an obesity conference. She and other experts agree the nation can't afford to expand its waistline any longer.

Another obesity-related study focused on teenagers and their television habits. It said those who watched the most TV ate fewer fruit and vegetables each day, and consumed more candy and sodas.

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