The numbers are alarming: every sixth child in Germany is already too fat. This has consequences: Overweight children often struggle with problems, and not just at a young age. The effects can still be felt in adulthood. Together with DAK-Gesundheit and fit4future, we answer the most important questions about the topic.
How can you prevent?
Childhood obesity is often genetic: if the parents start quickly, it is very likely that the offspring will also be the same. With enough exercise and a healthy diet, parents can counteract this. Always remember: As parents, you are a role model and guide for your child. If you live an active lifestyle and often do things together with exercise, your child will adapt to it naturally. So: Better go hiking, cycling and going to the swimming pool instead of going to the cinema and watching TV together. When your child sees that you enjoy these activities, the child’s motivation increases all by itself. In addition, they can only ask for things that they implement themselves. Encourage your child to be active early on. Biking to school or to friends is also a good step – take the bike yourself for short distances and leave the car parked several times. Help your child find a hobby. You can also do a sporty one and let him try out several sports until he finds one that suits him. Because if children experience themselves as successful in sport from an early age, this lays the foundation for a sporty lifestyle. In addition, children are less likely to grab sweets if they have a hobby that they enjoy. Because that prevents boredom. until it finds one that suits it. Because if children experience themselves as successful in sport from an early age, this lays the foundation for a sporty lifestyle. In addition, children are less likely to grab sweets if they have a hobby that they enjoy. Because that prevents boredom. until it finds one that suits it. Because if children experience themselves as successful in sport from an early age, this lays the foundation for a sporty lifestyle. In addition, children are less likely to grab sweets if they have a hobby that they enjoy. Because that prevents boredom.
Limit the time your child spends in front of the television or computer – because long periods of sitting are not only harmful to adults, but also to children. Does your child still love their game console dearly? Interactive games (sports, dancing, reaction games) are a compromise. Although they are not a substitute for sport, they do ensure that your child works out, at least with the controller in hand.
When it comes to nutrition, you are in demand: Parents are the first and most important role models and thus pioneers for your children. Children learn a lot through imitation. If you want your children to sit neatly at the table and eat vegetables, chances are they will if you show yourself off and join in. Let your kids help out with shopping and cooking, trying out spices and tastes in the process. They experience how much fun healthy eating can be and how diverse fresh, homemade food tastes. How about, for example, a colorful salad in which as many colors as possible should appear? Or you can choose a vegetable that your child likes particularly well, e.g. carrots, and work together to think of as many different ways of preparing and combining them as possible. Tasks like this inspire children to deal with the ingredients and make vegetables and co. Tasty. If possible, avoid ready-made products, fast food, chips and the like in the family: These contain too much salt and fat and dampen the taste and thus the feeling of satiety. Fruit yoghurts, soft drinks and sweetened juices are also not advisable: these are sugar and therefore calorie traps. Instead, keep healthy snacks ready: apple wedges, carrot wedges with herbal quark dip, rice or corn waffles or berry and grape skewers … Healthy alternative drinks such as water with fruit slices or unsweetened tea should also be provided. In addition to diet and activity, there are other factors that influence weight: Stress and lack of sleep often lead to “frustration” in children and thus to weight gain. Many children therefore gain weight when they start school or at the beginning of puberty. Fixed meal times in the family are particularly important: They give the offspring additional support and orientation. You should therefore pay particular attention to changes in eating behavior during these times: For example, is there no hunger at mealtimes because your child has already bought or nibbled sweets on the way? Does it eat in secret or alone in its room? In this case, do not blame your child, but ask carefully if there are any problems. And try other ways to distract your child from their grief, such as doing things together. Fixed meal times in the family are particularly important: They give the offspring additional support and orientation. You should therefore pay particular attention to changes in eating behavior during these times: For example, is there no hunger at mealtimes because your child has already bought or nibbled sweets on the way? Does it eat in secret or alone in its room? In this case, do not blame your child, but rather ask carefully if there are any problems. And try other ways to distract your child from their grief, such as doing things together. Fixed meal times in the family are particularly important: They give the offspring additional support and orientation. You should therefore pay particular attention to changes in eating behavior during these times: For example, is there no hunger at mealtimes because your child has already bought or nibbled sweets on the way? Does it eat in secret or alone in its room? In this case, do not blame your child, but ask carefully if there are any problems. And try other ways to distract your child from their grief, such as doing things together. because your child has already bought or nibbled sweets on the way? Does it eat in secret or alone in its room? In this case, do not blame your child, but ask carefully if there are any problems. And try other ways to distract your child from their grief, such as doing things together. because your child has already bought or nibbled sweets on the way? Does it eat in secret or alone in its room? In this case, do not blame your child, but ask carefully if there are any problems. And try other ways to distract your child from their grief, such as doing things together.