Is my child too fat?
To diagnose obesity in adults, the body mass index (BMI) is used. On the other hand, in the growing child, things are more complicated. To facilitate the diagnosis, we have therefore created the body curves : they allow you to compare your little one’s BMI with that of children of the same age and sex. At a glance, you know if your son or daughter is within the norm: if his curve is above the average reference curve, he has a weight problem. Hence the interest of keeping the child’s health record up to date, in which we find these famous curves. Do not neglect the compulsory medical consultations, in particular those of the 9and and 24and month. They are an opportunity to take stock of the evolution of your child’s height and weight.
– If ever your child’s curve “unhooks” from the reference curve, you must consult. Normally, the BMI rises sharply until 12-15 months but then it drops to reach its minimum around 6 years. It then increases again: this is called rebound adiposity. Three possible scenarios should draw your attention: the index continues to grow after 15 months; the index does not increase from age 6 but much earlier, around age 3-4; the BMI is within the norm until the age of 6-8 but then jumps.
– Also beware if your infant looks like a “shrimp” of children with a very low BMI and who does not increase as expected on the curves. These children put themselves on a saving diet and are at risk of having weight problems as they grow up.
Convenient : you can download the corpulence curves on the website of the National Institute for Prevention and Health Education (INPES) here.
Child: who to contact in case of overweight?
You have been wondering for some time. Until then, you only told yourself that your child was “very healthy”. But now you fear that he has a real overweight problem. You can turn to one of these professionals.
– The attending physician : GPs and paediatricians are increasingly aware of obesity monitoring.
– Doctors psychologists and school nurses: they can also help you review your child’s eating behaviors at home and your child’s lifestyle.
– PMI (Maternal & Child Protection) services: they are particularly useful for low-income families, the first affected by obesity.
Teach the child to eat well
If we instill good habits very early in the child, eating varied, balanced and in reasonable quantities will become (almost) natural for him. Also keep in mind that a child has an advantage over an adult: he continues to grow. If he manages to stabilize his weight, gaining several centimeters, his silhouette will automatically become slimmer.
– From 6 months, start by introducing 1 or 2 spoonfuls of mashed carrots, zucchini or fresh fruit juice in his bottle. You will then gradually increase the doses.
– If the little one sees you grimacing in front of your spinach, he is likely to imitate you. It’s up to you to lead by example so that he doesn’t systematically reject anything colourful, with an unusual smell and texture. If ever he is really reluctant to eat his green vegetables, do not promise him a good dessert as a reward. This would prove that spinach and beans are not good, unlike chocolate ice cream…
– What if lunch or dinner was an opportunity for you to express all your creativity? Play with shapes and colors, draw landscapes, characters with food… In the same way, you can invite your child to prepare the meal with you so that he or she becomes familiar with food.
– A child does not have the same needs as your teenager or your husband or wife. So, know how to dose the quantities well. You can get help with this from a dietitian or nutritionist.
– Get your child used to eating at regular times, sitting at a table, not skipping meals or not nibble during the day.
– Exceptionally, you can take your children to fast food. But prefer a balanced meal: water rather than a soda, a fruit salad for dessert…
Encourage physical activity of the child
Overweight and obesity can come from a bad diet but also from a lack of physical activity. For this reason, it is important to check that your child does not spend too much time in front of the television or video games.
To distract him, consider offering him motivating activities in return. Even if it’s restrictive for you, try to free up some time to take him to tennis, judo, dance, swimming lessons, etc.
