Question
My son is 6 years old and has been gaining weight recently. He has a very large appetite and usually doesn’t like to play. How should I treat pediatric obesity when the child dislikes exercise?
Answer
When a child is diagnosed with obesity, parents can increase the child’s physical activity and control their diet to improve symptoms. It is recommended to start with swimming, as the resistance of water during swimming is much greater than that of air during land-based exercise, leading to faster fat consumption. During this period, encourage the child to eat vegetables that are beneficial for improving obesity, such as winter melon and green peas. Avoid giving the child high-calorie and high-fat foods like hamburgers, fries, and cookies. Moreover, it is crucial to break the habit of not liking exercise, as it can easily lead to fat accumulation. If the situation is severe during the treatment of pediatric obesity, it is advisable for parents to take their child to the hospital first to check the cause of obesity and receive targeted treatment.