How to Help a Grandchild from Becoming Overweight

University of Georgia

Cooperative Extension

1 in 5 children are overweight

Why is everyone so concerned?

• More likely to become overweight adults!

• Increased risk for health problems:

– Type 2 diabetes

– Cardiovascular disease

– High blood pressure

– High blood cholesterol

• Low self-esteem and poor body image.

Is my grandchild’s weight within the acceptable range?

See a family physician, health department, school nurse, or other health care provider– Body Mass Index (BMI)-

for-Age

What should you do if your grandchild is overweight?

• Do NOT focus on weight loss

• The child should naturally get taller and grow into their normal weight by improving food choices and increasing physical activity.

Your Grandchild’s Weight

• Serve a variety of nutritious foods.

• Set limits

• Provide positive attitudes and stress-free experiences with food.

You play an important role!

Provide a Healthy Diet

• My Plate shows a healthy meal pattern

• Color:

– Provide a variety of foods from all food groups.

• Shape:

– Limit foods that are higher in fat and added sugar.

Stock Up With Healthy food!

Healthy Snacks • Fruits-grapes, apples,

bananas

• Vegetables-carrots, celery, broccoli

• Pretzels

• Low-fat cheese, light yogurt

• Frozen juice pops

• Few nutrients, very high in fat and added sugar.

• Only occasionally.• Encourage water and

milk• Avoid using sweets as

a reward or punishment

Provide Sweets and Goodies Occasionally

Provide Positive, Stress-free Experiences with Food

Grandparents are responsible for:– What is served

– When to serve

– Where to serve

• Food shouldn’t cause a battle!• Share the responsibility

Children are responsible for:

• Whether to eat

• How much to eat

Be supportive

• Be supportive and open to talking about your grandchild’s weight concerns.

• Help them not to feel “different”

Be A Role Model

• Adopt healthy eating habits yourself!

• Eat together

• Avoid eating away from the table.

• Involve children in the kitchen.

Encourage Physical Activity

• Encourage children to be active and reduce the time “sitting around.”

• Involve children in at least one hour of physical activity every day.

• Encourage participation in organized sports.

Small steps toward change:

• Provide fruit and vegetable snacks.

• Limit fruit juice to ideally no more than 1 cup per day.

• Minimize soft drink intake.• Reduce high fat and added

sugar cookies, pies, cakes, etc.

Small steps toward change (continued)

• Reduce time watching TV.

• Increase outdoor activity.

Take Home Message

• Grandparents can help grandchildren build a foundation of healthy eating habits now and for the future!

• Offer children a variety of healthy foods.

• Resist the urge to reward with food treats.

• Create positive food experiences!

What Did You Learn?

• True or False: If your grandchild is overweight, you should help them gradually lose weight.

• True or False: 30 minutes of physical activity is enough for a child each day

• Are you more or less likely when giving children candy, to give it to give it to every child despite his/her weight?– More likely - Less Likely