Let’s face, it’s not just adults who are leading sedentary lifestyles. Our children and teenagers are increasingly becoming more sedentary with the overload in schoolwork coupled with the use of electronic gadgets. To set the tone for a healthier, more active lifestyle in teens, Dr. Monika Kaushal, Consultant Neonatologist at Zulekha Hospital suggests effective anti-obesity tips we can all incorporate.

• Remember, it’s important to monitor children’s weight regularly, using the universal measurement of Body Mass Index (BMI) and record the results on a BMI chart to track any changes over time.
• Routine assessments of all children for obesity-related risk factors will allow for early intervention if necessary. This includes recording the obesity status (BMI) of the parents and assessing key nutritional and physical activity habits of the family.
• For children with obesity, weight-related diseases should be assessed through physical exams and relevant laboratory screenings.
• For children who are overweight or obese, a series of clinical counseling interventions should be facilitated by a family doctor to help with any associated mental health issues
• Patients who do not respond to a standard clinical intervention or for those with severe obesity, higher-intensity approaches are needed.
• A focus should be placed on long-term changes in behaviors and lifestyle that are related to the risk of obesity, rather than diets and exercise prescriptions which tend to set short-term goals. When implemented in a supportive fashion and with a focus on healthy eating rather than rigid or highly restrictive dieting, interventions that support weight loss do not predispose to eating disorders.
• For all children and their families, routine health care should include obesity-focused education. Key goals to address are: the common diet-related problems encountered in children, firm limits on television and other media early in the child’s life, and the establishment of habits of frequent physical activity.