Childhood Obesity: What to Know
- posted: Mar. 17, 2025
Maintaining a healthy weight is essential at any age, and it's vital for your child to develop good eating habits. That's why the doctors at the Suburban Healthcare Associates also focus on childhood obesity in Naperville, Plainfield, and Joliet, IL. If your child has weight issues, Dr. Sanjay Pethkar, Dr. Anjali Kher, and Dr. Maureen Dela Cruz can work with you on a solution.
Main Causes of Childhood Obesity
When a child constantly has a higher BMI score above 95%, they’re considered obese. A bad combination of eating too much food, especially unhealthy items, and a lack of physical activity are the main reasons why your child may be having weight problems. Fatty foods and a high intake of sugary ones, particularly high-sugar drinks, can quickly add calories. You should also be mindful of your child's activity levels, especially if they often sit in front of a computer or TV screen.
Obesity can run in some families, so genetics can affect your child's outcome, but it doesn't mean that lifestyle adjustments can't change that. You should also be aware of your child's emotional state, as they may also use food as a crutch to heal internal pain from bullying or family problems. Childhood obesity can also stem from socioeconomic factors, as poor children in certain environments may not have easy access to fresh foods or safe outdoor spaces to play.
Prevention
Childhood obesity in Naperville, Plainfield, and Joliet, IL, is highly preventable with lifestyle adjustments. It starts with a balanced diet that includes colorful natural foods. The earlier you start your child eating fresh fruit and vegetables, the earlier their palate can get used to them. Any physical activity is good for your child, whether playing outside, running, walking, doing indoor exercise, helping with chores, etc.
Limit screen time so your child isn’t in front of a screen or sitting down for hours without a break. It's also easier to model positive behavior so your child sees physical activity and healthy eating as regular activities.
When you visit Suburban Healthcare Associates for a weight consultation with Dr. Pethkar, Dr. Kher, and Dr. Cruz, you take positive steps in your child’s health. To learn more about managing childhood obesity, call the Joliet, IL, location at 815-729-3627, Naperville, IL, at 331-229-3210, and Plainfield, IL, 815-609-3627.
- posted: Mar. 17, 2025
Maintaining a healthy weight is essential at any age, and it's vital for your child to develop good eating habits. That's why the doctors at the Suburban Healthcare Associates also focus on childhood obesity in Naperville, Plainfield, and Joliet, IL. If your child has weight issues, Dr. Sanjay Pethkar, Dr. Anjali Kher, and Dr. Maureen Dela Cruz can work with you on a solution.
Main Causes of Childhood Obesity
When a child constantly has a higher BMI score above 95%, they’re considered obese. A bad combination of eating too much food, especially unhealthy items, and a lack of physical activity are the main reasons why your child may be having weight problems. Fatty foods and a high intake of sugary ones, particularly high-sugar drinks, can quickly add calories. You should also be mindful of your child's activity levels, especially if they often sit in front of a computer or TV screen.
Obesity can run in some families, so genetics can affect your child's outcome, but it doesn't mean that lifestyle adjustments can't change that. You should also be aware of your child's emotional state, as they may also use food as a crutch to heal internal pain from bullying or family problems. Childhood obesity can also stem from socioeconomic factors, as poor children in certain environments may not have easy access to fresh foods or safe outdoor spaces to play.
Prevention
Childhood obesity in Naperville, Plainfield, and Joliet, IL, is highly preventable with lifestyle adjustments. It starts with a balanced diet that includes colorful natural foods. The earlier you start your child eating fresh fruit and vegetables, the earlier their palate can get used to them. Any physical activity is good for your child, whether playing outside, running, walking, doing indoor exercise, helping with chores, etc.
Limit screen time so your child isn’t in front of a screen or sitting down for hours without a break. It's also easier to model positive behavior so your child sees physical activity and healthy eating as regular activities.
When you visit Suburban Healthcare Associates for a weight consultation with Dr. Pethkar, Dr. Kher, and Dr. Cruz, you take positive steps in your child’s health. To learn more about managing childhood obesity, call the Joliet, IL, location at 815-729-3627, Naperville, IL, at 331-229-3210, and Plainfield, IL, 815-609-3627.