Question
A 9-year-old boy, in elementary school, has recently been found to be significantly heavier than his peers. He can eat several bowls of rice in one meal and prefers playing to eating. How should the issue of the child’s obesity and overweight be treated?
Answer
If a child is suffering from obesity, it is necessary to change the situation through dietary control and exercise. It is important to let the child engage in achievable activities such as swimming and jogging, and to increase the intake of foods like apples, kiwis, and carrots in their diet. At the same time, high-calorie foods such as cakes and chestnuts should be prohibited. In addition, the child’s habit of not liking to exercise should be changed to prevent excessive fat accumulation. If parents find that the condition is serious during treatment, they should immediately take the child to a doctor for a diagnosis and corresponding treatment.