Overweight

In the UK, the number of obese children continues to rise. It has been reported that just under one in five children between the ages of two and ten is obese, and figures released by the Health Department state that this figure is rising – more in girls than boys.

Obese children tend to become obese adults. This increases the risk of developing certain diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, but obesity puts a lot of pressure on many other system of the body causing multiple symptoms resulting in a body in dis-ease.

Children need a varied diet that provides enough energy and protein for growth and repair and contains all the essential vitamins and minerals. Unfortunately many of the foods offered to children are processed and contain extreme amounts of sugar and salt – there has been some research carried out recently showing that some children’s cereals contain almost 30 per cent sugar, and even “healthier” cereals are laden with salt.

Portion sizes have increased over the years, especially when it comes to ready meals and snacks. This means children have become used to eating more calories than they need. High nutritional quality is more important than large quantities. Small children don’t need as much food as adults. Think twice when serving meals and make sure theirs is smaller than a typical adult serving.

If your child is overweight and you would like help with a lifestyle change then contact me to find out how I can help to correct the weight issue and prevent possible health problems later in life.

Underweight

At the other end of the scale from all this over-eating and poor food choices lies another, equally disturbing trend: the escalating rise in eating disorders. While levels of anorexia have grown in line with population increase, research is showing that the presenting cases of bulimia are rising significantly ahead of population growth.

There is tremendous pressure on young women to look skinny fueled by magazines aimed at the young readers, displaying extremely thin models and containing diets claiming to achieve this ‘skinny’ look. In recent months it has been reported that catwalk models have died of anorexia and well known celebrities are admitting to eating disorders, which is highlighting the depth of this problem.

Well-meaning parents who impose strict diets, police the dinner table and create an atmosphere of terror around “bad” foods, could well be compounding the problem. Certainly, making any mention that your child is overweight, or worse, putting her on a diet – could create the opposite affect. “There is good scientific evidence that parents have a strong influence over a childs behaviour around food and eating, particularly unusual patterns of eating, or dieting. How you eat can have a direct impact on how your children view food.

Many mothers eat separate foods from the rest of the family, or yo-yo between faddy diets. This sends messages to their children – particularly daughters – that food is dangerous and complex and adults can’t handle it either.

If you would like to discuss nutritional issues please contact me:

Tel: 01954 204828

email: peter@graysnutrition.com