Most of us find relationship with our food to be a deep one. Eating healthy food can give you good health and strength to remain immune from infections and health problems. However eating too much or too frequently can become a problem and lead to obesity and health issues in the future. Children and teenagers are hugely affected because of their overeating habit, and parents often neglect this out of love for their children. This should not be done and parents need to observe their eating routine in order to prevent them from falling for excessive eating and binge eating disorder. Today we will discuss some tips to prevent children from binge eating disorder.
Is Overeating in Children normal?
Some parents feel that children feel hungrier and need more energy so it is fine for them to eat more. It is true to a point that they need higher calories because of involvement in physical activities and nutrition needs but not that they have to eat so often. We spoke to dietician Ms. Kriti Sharma, Consultant and Dietician in BNK Hospital, Kanpur to know more about overeating in children.
She told that overeating or excessive eating is very common in children. It has been observed that children and teens engaged in indoor activities, such as video games and using phone are more likely to have binge eating disorder. If you feel that your kids do not have control over how much they eat, and how many times they are eating, then it could be symptoms of binge eating disorder.
Also Read- How Many Calories In A Banana? Impact On Weight Loss
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Tips to Control Overeating in Children and Teens
1. Eating habits develop in children after 2 years of age; it is when you need to be most careful as parents. Overeating disorder is usually found in children between age of 6-15 years and you need to set some changes in order to restore their health. These are some tips given by expert to control overeating in teens.
2. You need to start eating healthy foods and snacks in front of them. Children observe their surrounding, and you can be role model for them to switch to healthy food options in the first place.
3. Do not keep unhealthy or stock of snacks in your home. If you know that your kid tends to overeat and has binge eating problems, then try to refrain from keeping too many snacks. Rather have fruits such as bananas, berries and vegetables such as carrots and celery for their diet.
4. Include low fat proteins that improve their body health, have food rich in whole grains and fibre for their meals.
5. Try to inculcate some rules such as if they complete this work, then they will get this snack. Try to include healthy snack options and improve their food choices gradually.
6. Teach your children about health hazards of overeating and binge eating. Give examples and make them keen towards the benefits of eating healthy food in their meals.
7. Avoid going for fast-food dining. Fast foods are usually bad for everyone’s health and hence refrain your kids and yourself from eating out. You can be creative and choose a place that provides healthy eating options.
8. Do not give them sugary beverages or drinks that have additives. Teens love soft drinks which have carbonated water and too many preservatives.
9. Tell them to stop eating when they feel full. Allow them to go out and get involved in sports activities. This will help them burn more calories and also restrict the calorie intake for that period of time.
Also Read- Binge Eating Disorder: All You Need To Know From An Expert
10. Be rewarding for their good behaviour and habits. When they eat healthy food and do not overeat their meals, then give small rewards to encourage them to do this more often. This can gradually improve their health condition and prevent them from falling for obesity and eating disorder complications.
Is Weight loss diet for children Healthy?
Dietician strictly recommends not putting your kids and teens to weight loss diets. Children need to have plenty of nutrition and have number of chores to do. Hence just keep a check on their diet, make them eat healthy food. Reducing the number of calories from their diet can affect their cognitive development as well as physical development. Hence do not put your kids to weight loss diets even if they are overeating.
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