Question

A 12-year-old boy, in elementary school, has recently been found to have a lot of fat on his body. Additionally, he has a very large appetite and is particularly lazy. How should we treat a child who is overweight and not interested in exercise?

Answer

When a child is overweight, parents should control their child’s food intake and increase their physical activity, such as swimming and climbing hills, which have a good effect on the symptoms. During this time, encourage the child to eat more vegetables that are beneficial for improving obesity symptoms, such as winter melon and green beans. Do not give the child high-calorie snacks, and do not let the child overeat. Moreover, encourage the child to be more active. During the treatment of obesity, parents should provide reasonable treatment based on the child’s condition. If the condition is severe, it is imperative to go to the hospital to investigate the cause and receive treatment.