Question
My son is six years old and has been gaining weight significantly over the past year. He has a large appetite, dislikes exercise, and doesn’t like vegetables or fruits. How should I treat his childhood obesity?
Answer
If a child is suffering from obesity, parents should start with their child’s exercise and diet. For pediatric obesity, it’s important to engage in more aerobic activities such as hill climbing and swimming. In terms of diet, encourage the child to eat more vegetables like cucumbers, carrots, and spinach, and avoid high-calorie, high-fat foods such as cakes, dried fruits, and cookies. Strictly control the child’s diet to prevent overeating. Increasing physical activity can greatly benefit in improving the child’s obesity situation. During the treatment of obesity, parents should conduct reasonable treatment based on the child’s condition, and in severe cases, seek hospital check-ups to treat the underlying causes.