Question
A 10-year-old boy, in elementary school, has recently been noticed to be getting fatter. Additionally, he can eat several bowls of rice in one meal and doesn’t like to exercise. How should a child with obesity and overweight be diagnosed and treated?
Answer
To address a child’s obesity, it starts with encouraging them to love exercise and not be picky about food. Begin by teaching the child to swim, as the resistance of water during swimming is greater than that of air during land-based exercises, leading to faster fat consumption. During this time, include vegetables that are beneficial for improving obesity, such as winter melon and green peas, in the child’s diet and avoid high-calorie foods. Parents should encourage their children to engage in more physical activity and not lie down immediately after eating. If the situation is severe, parents should promptly go to the hospital to determine the cause and receive targeted treatment.