Are you Burdened with your Pre-Teen’s Body Changes?

Tremendous Growth Changes Occur during Pre-teen Years

Overwhelmed by your pre-teen’s weight gain? It is common for pre-teens to undergo major body changes in every part of the body during the pre-teen years. Kids become hefty, their appetite increases and eating portions increase too. Though this is a common phenomenon, it is a matter of utmost concern to parents. The question here is that, should it really be a point to worry upon?
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Registered dietitian nutritionists feel that it depends on the parent to take weight issues into concern. The main point here is the way in which a parent handles these changes in their child. School workloads, more screen time, increased junk foods, less parental control and less time spent playing outside can pile up the kilograms. If a parent plays the perfect role of setting the foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating habits, there is nothing to worry about. Otherwise, a child’s relationship with food may suffer and might also end in pre-eating disorder problems.

Growth Chart Helps to Compare Weight & Growth Trends

Maintain a Growth Chart
​It is in the best interest of your child to maintain a dairy of your child’s growth chart by marking your child’s height, weight and body mass index (BMI). BMI helps to measure weight-for-stature against age and when the BMI value has been plotted as per your child’s growing age (right from age 2), you can compare the weight and growth trends. With these values, you can schedule a meeting with your health care provider to verify if your child’s weight is correct for his/her age or if any changes have occurred that need immediate attention.

Maintain a Low Profile on the Child’s Weight
When it reaches a point where the increasing weight patterns should be addressed, don’t keep nagging or constantly commenting on your kid’s eating patterns as they may be counter-productive. Instead, try to accommodate these key points to help your pre-teen achieve a healthy weight:

• Meet your physician every year for a normal check-up. Request him/her to plot your child’s growth chart each year to review and discuss the growth patterns.
• Speak over the phone before going for the appointment. Discuss your concerns over the phone with your health care provider and decide on the best way to address your child’s weight concerns. Keep the conversation positive and constructive in front of your kid when you meet the doctor. If you need further help in managing your kid’s weight, you can get in touch with a nutritionist/dietitian at www.firsteatright.com.
• Maintain a positive aura at home
  o    Try incorporating the changes for the entire family. It is better to address the issue as a              family unit rather than for your child alone. This is good for the entire family as everyone benefits from        a healthy and nutritious home atmosphere.
  o    Every member in the family should own responsibility at the dinner table. Parents should         take care of the availability of food, the right time to serve it and the right place to serve it. It is the           duty of a child (and his/her duty alone) to decide on the quantity of food to be consumed.
• Store only healthy foods in your home. Keep colorful fruits and veggies in easy to locate places for your kids. While a plain carrot stick might not allure your child, carrot sticks with zesty yogurt dips or hummus will do the job. Exotic fruits, whole-grain crackers and cereals are great on-the-go foods.
• Follow your rules. Set restrictions for snacking, screen time and activities and ensure that you follow these restrictions before you correct your child. Eat nutritious foods in front of your child, include physical activity in you errands as well and try to spend time together by doing small little chores.
• Eat together as a family. Families that eat together have healthier lifestyles and children tend to follow proper food schedules. Happy family meals offer structure, support and a good opportunity to bond with your children.
• Assure a positive body image. Kids reflect their parents’ thoughts. If you have a positive body image, they know that. If you don’t, they know that too. Maintain a positive atmosphere and talk about health but not weight.