Over the last two decades, the prevalence of childhood obesity has steadily increased. There are acute and long-term health consequences associated with pediatric obesity.

Maintaining a healthy weight in children is a shared responsibility of parents, guardians, and educators. They may assist in promoting good eating habits and restricting access to calorie-dense treats and giving kids healthy drinks. 

For children who are already overweight, the objective is to slow the pace at which they acquire weight while ensuring that their growth and development continue normally. Putting a child on a diet to lose weight without first talking to a doctor is not advisable.

• Cut down on calorie-rich food 

A good way to encourage your kids to eat healthily is to limit their access to unhealthy snacks. Your children will appreciate these meals more if they are actually treats and you will only give them to them on rare occasions. Here are some examples of 100-calorie or fewer snacks that are simple to make and minimal in fat and sugar:

• 2 tablespoons hummus with 1 cup of vegetables like carrots, broccoli, or bell peppers.
• A banana or apple of medium size.
• Grapes or blueberries, to the volume of one cup.
• Some baked kale chips 

• Encourage kids to play outside.

Among the numerous health advantages of regular physical exercise, which also includes the fact that it’s entertaining for kids, are the following:

• Enhancing bone density.
• Bringing down blood pressure.
• Calming one’s nerves and stress levels.
• Raising one’s own sense of worth.
• Facilitating the control of weight.

Children between the ages of three and five benefit from daily physical activity. At least 60 minutes of daily physical activity is recommended for children and adolescents aged 6-17. Do anything that gets their heart rate up, like aerobic exercise. Incorporate exercises that build muscle and bone density, like climbing and push-ups, and high-impact activities, like running and leaping. 

• Cut down on your couch potato hours.

Kids should only be allowed two hours a day of screen time (including TV, video games, and the internet), but more if they need it for studying or reading. In addition, children under the age of two are not encouraged to watch television. Instead, suggest that kids discover enjoyable ways to be physically active, either with their families or on their own.

• Get a good night’s rest.

Inadequate sleep contributes to obesity in part because it causes us to consume more calories and engage in fewer physical activities than we would if we had had a good night’s rest. Young children, especially, have varying sleep requirements from those of adults.

Remember that many children, who may only eat once daily, won’t need these weight increase suggestions. Many toddlers and some preschoolers may only eat one nice meal a day and pick at the other meals, which is perfectly acceptable.

• Add more fat and calories to your regular meals.

To be honest, we’re not huge fans of the trend of disguising healthy meals in “kid-friendly” packaging (looking at you, secret vegetable cookies), but we have no problem with the habit of sneaking high-calorie additives into commonplace items.

Smoothies may be readily augmented with calorie-dense foods like nut jars of butter, avocados, coconut milk, and many more.

Buttermilk pancakes, sour cream on baked potatoes, and additional cheese in spaghetti and casseroles are all perfectly acceptable when your kid needs to gain weight.

When should you consult your child’s doctor?

Do not be shy about asking your physician anything, no matter how little it may seem. Don’t be shy about bringing up your worries with your child’s physician if you’re worried that they aren’t gaining weight normally or appear to have regressed in their development.

In addition, speak up if you notice that, in addition to losing weight, your kid seems “scrawny,” has poor energy, or has undergone behavioural changes. Maintain all of your child’s well-child checkups so you can keep tabs on his or her growth.

If your kid has gone without eating for more than 24 to 48 hours and you are unable to determine an underlying cause (such as sickness), it is highly recommended that you seek expert care.

Talk to your physician about the potential side effects of any new drugs, since some of them may prevent healthy weight growth in children.

Role of health drinks

While much of parenting is a roller coaster, it’s a guarantee that your kids will go through phases of picky eating. Offering a healthy drink is a frequent home remedy for children who are finicky eaters or who have a weak appetite. Perhaps more importantly, however, is there evidence that this method benefits young people? When to give children nutritious drinks.

Products like this aim to improve nutritional status and calorie intake in children who are at risk of malnutrition. They may also supplement a child’s diet with nutrients that are crucial to their development but may be missing otherwise.

Health drinks may be a reassuring way to ensure that kids are still receiving enough to eat through picky-eating or appetite-changing times, which is something every parent and caregiver has experienced.

Nutritional beverages formulated specifically for children are now widely available. You need to know what you’re searching for and what matters most to you since not all of them are the same.

Conclusion

Make sure to see your child’s physician if you have any worries about your child’s nutrition, or if you notice any problems with your child’s normal growth, weight gain in children and development. Your child’s food and nutritional needs may be assessed by a qualified dietitian, who can then provide you with tailored advice to improve your child’s health and weight. 

If you want to give your child some good health drinks, you can try Gritzo Health drinks for kids for sure. Gritzo gives your kid the necessary nourishment, which is individualized for them according to their age, gender, and aspirations.