Question
A 12-year-old boy, in elementary school, this year, I noticed that my child has a lot of fat on his body, and he eats more than most children. He usually doesn’t like to go out to play. How should one treat a child’s obesity and lack of exercise effectively?
Answer
If a child is obese, parents should control their child’s diet and increase their physical activity. They can start by teaching the child to swim, as the resistance of water during swimming is much greater than that of air during land-based exercise, allowing for faster fat consumption. During this period, the child should eat vegetables that are beneficial for improving obesity, such as winter melon and green beans. High-calorie, high-fat foods like cakes, dried fruits, and cookies should be prohibited. Moreover, the child should not be allowed to lie down immediately after eating without moving. During the treatment of a child’s obesity, if parents notice that the situation is serious, they should go to the hospital in time to find out the cause and receive targeted treatment.