How to Help a Grandchild from Becoming Overweight University of Georgia Cooperative Extension
How to Help a Grandchild from Becoming Overweight
University of Georgia
Cooperative Extension
1 in 5 children are overweight
Why is everyone so concerned?
• More likely to become overweight adults!
• Increased risk for health problems:
– Type 2 diabetes
– Cardiovascular disease
– High blood pressure
– High blood cholesterol
• Low self-esteem and poor body image.
Is my grandchild’s weight within the acceptable range?
See a family physician, health department, school nurse, or other health care provider– Body Mass Index (BMI)-
for-Age
What should you do if your grandchild is overweight?
• Do NOT focus on weight loss
• The child should naturally get taller and grow into their normal weight by improving food choices and increasing physical activity.
Your Grandchild’s Weight
• Serve a variety of nutritious foods.
• Set limits
• Provide positive attitudes and stress-free experiences with food.
You play an important role!
Provide a Healthy Diet
• My Plate shows a healthy meal pattern
• Color:
– Provide a variety of foods from all food groups.
• Shape:
– Limit foods that are higher in fat and added sugar.
Stock Up With Healthy food!
Healthy Snacks • Fruits-grapes, apples,
bananas
• Vegetables-carrots, celery, broccoli
• Pretzels
• Low-fat cheese, light yogurt
• Frozen juice pops
• Few nutrients, very high in fat and added sugar.
• Only occasionally.• Encourage water and
milk• Avoid using sweets as
a reward or punishment
Provide Sweets and Goodies Occasionally
Provide Positive, Stress-free Experiences with Food
Grandparents are responsible for:– What is served
– When to serve
– Where to serve
• Food shouldn’t cause a battle!• Share the responsibility
Children are responsible for:
• Whether to eat
• How much to eat
Be supportive
• Be supportive and open to talking about your grandchild’s weight concerns.
• Help them not to feel “different”
Be A Role Model
• Adopt healthy eating habits yourself!
• Eat together
• Avoid eating away from the table.
• Involve children in the kitchen.
Encourage Physical Activity
• Encourage children to be active and reduce the time “sitting around.”
• Involve children in at least one hour of physical activity every day.
• Encourage participation in organized sports.
Small steps toward change:
• Provide fruit and vegetable snacks.
• Limit fruit juice to ideally no more than 1 cup per day.
• Minimize soft drink intake.• Reduce high fat and added
sugar cookies, pies, cakes, etc.
Small steps toward change (continued)
• Reduce time watching TV.
• Increase outdoor activity.
Take Home Message
• Grandparents can help grandchildren build a foundation of healthy eating habits now and for the future!
• Offer children a variety of healthy foods.
• Resist the urge to reward with food treats.
• Create positive food experiences!
What Did You Learn?
• True or False: If your grandchild is overweight, you should help them gradually lose weight.
• True or False: 30 minutes of physical activity is enough for a child each day
• Are you more or less likely when giving children candy, to give it to give it to every child despite his/her weight?– More likely - Less Likely