Promoting Healthy Childhood Development: Strategies for Parents to Support Their Child’s Well-being

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Rising Childhood Obesity Rates: experts Pinpoint Complex Causes And Solutions

February 29,2024 | Archyde News Desk

The Number Of People With Obesity In The Netherlands Has Been Increasing For Years, And Dutch Children Are Also Getting Heavier.Parents Are Struggling To Raise children Healthily.But How Much Of This Is Genetic, How Much Is Upbringing, And How Much Is Environment? The Role Of Parents Is Significant And Crucial, but It’s Not Their Fault Alone, According To Kinderarts-endocrinoloog And Professor At Maastricht University, Edgar Van Mil.

‘Obesity, That’s Visible’

As The founder Of The Lifestyle Medicine Expertise Center At Jeroen Bosch Hospital (Jbz), He Sees Children With Obesity Almost Daily. “These Are Children who Are Referred To Us By Other Hospitals Because They Indicate That They Are No Longer Knowing What To Do.They Wonder: What Can We Still Do About It?”

In practice, He Notices How Stigmatized The Subject Is Among Parents, He Says. “You Can’t Ignore It: Obesity,That’s Visible. and People Have opinions About That. There is A Lot Of Emotion And Judgement Associated With Obesity. And That Makes It A Difficult Topic.”

Fear Of Prejudice

That Stigmatization Can Prevent Parents From Taking Action, He Explains. “People Often Think: If I Go To The doctor Or Someone Else Who Wants To Help, They Will Think I’m Not Trying Hard Enough Or That I’m Not Raising My Children Properly. Or That I’m Careless, Or That I Go To the Snack Bar every Day.”

When talking To parents, He Therefore Starts By Refuting Those Thoughts. “We Understand How Difficult It Is And How Difficult It Is To Talk About This. But At The Same Time, The Solution Lies With You.”

Mix Of Factors

Ultimately, It Is A Elaborate Mix Of Factors That Causes Obesity In Children, Says Van mil. “It’s different For Everyone. The Most Difficult Factor Is Actually Genetics,About 40 To 60 Percent Of Your Weight Is Genetically Determined.”

But What Does That Look Like Exactly? “Is That Genetic Predisposition That You Don’t Feel full As Quickly? Is That Genetic Predisposition That you Have Less Control Over your Emotional Regulation And Therefore Easily Grab Something To Eat In between? We Are Slowly Starting To Find Out.”

Nature And nurture

He Continues: “So You Jointly Search For: Which Factors Can We Influence And Which Genetic Factors Do We Regrettably Have To Accept?” It is Nature And Nurture, Says Van Mil: Inheritance and Upbringing.

“such as, If You have A Constant Hunger Pangs, You Will Quickly Fall Prey To It. And That’s Upbringing, That’s Where It has To Come From.”

Learning About Exercise And Nutrition

Olga kamphuis Also Found it Difficult to get Her Daughter pien To A healthy Weight. “Pien Was Already A Substantial Girl At Birth, And At The GGD She Always Ticked The Upper Limit Well. So We Eventually Went To The Pediatrician In Consultation,” Says olga.

They Are Now Participating In A Health Program Together, Called Cool2bfit. Children Aged 6 To 16 who are Overweight Or Obese Can Go There. Together With Their Parents,They Learn About Exercise And Nutrition. “The Pediatrician Also Came Up With The Idea To Participate In It. And Yes, That’s Nice.Some Guidance With A Dietitian, And With Sports And Games.”

‘Parents Do Their Best’

“People always Think: And What About The Parents? Shouldn’t They Do Their Best? Yes, But They Already Are. So We Should Get More Support From The Environment,” Says van Mil. Support Such As Health Programs Like Cool2bfit Is Therefore Essential, according To Him. “Parents Also Need Support. It Is A Difficult Task For Parents. Just Imagine If You Are So Genetically Predisposed.”

The Role of The Environment Is Not To Be Underestimated, Says The pediatrician. “If You’re Lucky, You Have An Environment Of Parents Who Do Roughly The Same Thing And Think The Same Way. And A School Where Good Parenting Is Supported.” And not To Forget What Comes To Children Online, Van Mil adds. “All Those Things, They Seem To Be Working Against You As A Parent, If you Want To Do It Right.”

Challenges And Trends

There Is An Abundance Online: Extreme Challenges, Trends And Tips About Food. 20,000 Calories A Day, only Fast Food, 24 Hours Without Vegetables; Eating Is A World Of Extremes On social Media. Frans Folkvord of Tilburg University Knows That This Can have A Significant Impact On Children.

As A University Associate Professor, He Is An Expert In The Influence Of Social Media and Influencers On Children’s Eating Behavior. “It Is Never Presented As: You Should Eat It In Moderation. It Is Said: ‘It Is Part Of Life.’ So A Kind Of Joy And Pleasure, And Of course Manny Children Are Tempted To Eat That Too.”

more Support And rules

And Then It Is Up To Parents To Let Them Eat Healthily. But Folkvord Also Sees How Difficult That Is. “Parents Always Have The Obligation To Raise their Children Healthily.”

“But I Do Not See Why the Industry, Or Society, Should Make It So Difficult for Parents,” He Continues. “We As A Whole Must Ensure That Our Children Grow Up Healthy And We Must Help Parents Do So In A Good Way.”

Slow Regulation

“What You See Is That The Health Consequences Of Unhealthy Eating Are Now Much Greater Than,such as,smoking Or Drinking. And There Are Very Strict Regulations For That,” Folkvord Emphasizes.

Folkvord Warns About The Consequences If better Measures are Not Taken. “The Government Must Think Much More About Regulations For Unhealthy Food, And Learn From The Slowness With Which It Went With, For Example, Cigarettes. That Took 40 Years.we Can’t Do That again.”

Ongoing Trends in Childhood Obesity

According to the Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC), the prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents in the United States has more than tripled as the 1970s.Similar trends are observed globally, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive strategies.

Year	Obesity Prevalence (US, Ages 2-19)
1971-1975	4.0%
1976-1980	6.5%
1988-1994	12.1%
2017-2020	19.7%

Did You Know? Early childhood obesity can have long-term health consequences, including an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

Pro Tip: Focus on creating a healthy family lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and nutritious meals,rather than solely focusing on weight loss.

How can parents foster a secure attachment wiht their child through responsive parenting?

the Foundation: Secure Attachment & Emotional Intelligence

A child’s early years are critical for laying the groundwork for lifelong health and happiness. Central to healthy childhood development is a secure attachment with caregivers. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about consistent responsiveness to your child’s needs.

Responsive Parenting: Responding sensitively to cues – a cry, a smile, a gesture – builds trust and security.

Emotional Coaching: Helping your child identify and understand their feelings (“You seem frustrated that the tower fell down”) fosters emotional intelligence.

Safe & Predictable Surroundings: Routines and clear expectations provide a sense of safety, allowing children to explore and learn.

This secure base allows children to develop social-emotional skills,crucial for navigating relationships and managing challenges. Ignoring or dismissing a child’s feelings can hinder this development, potentially leading to difficulties with emotional regulation later in life.

Nurturing Cognitive Development: Learning Through Play

Cognitive development isn’t just about academics; it’s about how children think, learn, and solve problems. Play is the vehicle for this.

Unstructured Play: Allowing children time for free play – building with blocks, pretending, exploring outdoors – encourages creativity, problem-solving, and inventiveness. Resist the urge to direct their play; let them led.

Reading aloud: Even from infancy, reading exposes children to language, expands their vocabulary, and sparks their imagination. make it interactive – ask questions, talk about the pictures.

Age-Appropriate Puzzles & Games: These challenge children’s thinking skills and promote problem-solving abilities.

Limit Screen Time: Excessive screen time can interfere with brain development and reduce opportunities for crucial social interaction and physical activity. the american Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting screen use for young children.

Promoting Physical Health & Well-being

physical health is inextricably linked to child development. A healthy body supports a healthy mind.

Nutritious Diet: Focus on whole foods – fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Limit processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive amounts of unhealthy fats. Consider consulting a pediatrician or registered dietitian for personalized guidance.

Regular Physical Activity: Encourage at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. This could include playing outdoors, participating in sports, or simply dancing around the living room. Gross motor skills are developed through active play.

Sufficient Sleep: Children need more sleep than adults. Establish a consistent bedtime routine to promote restful sleep. Sleep deprivation can negatively impact mood, behavior, and cognitive function.

Regular Check-ups: Routine visits to the pediatrician are essential for monitoring growth and development, receiving vaccinations, and addressing any health concerns.

Fostering Social Skills & resilience

Social development involves learning how to interact with others, build relationships, and navigate social situations. Resilience – the ability to bounce back from adversity – is also crucial.

Opportunities for Social Interaction: Playdates, preschool, and extracurricular activities provide opportunities for children to interact with peers and develop social skills.

Modeling Positive Social Behavior: Children learn by observing their parents. Demonstrate kindness, empathy, and respect in your interactions with others.

Teaching Conflict resolution Skills: Help your child learn how to resolve conflicts peacefully and respectfully.encourage them to express their feelings and listen to others.

Encourage Independence: Allowing children to take age-appropriate risks and make their own decisions fosters independence and self-confidence.

Discussing Feelings & Experiences: Creating a safe space for your child to talk about their feelings and experiences helps them develop emotional resilience.Asking open-ended questions like those found at I-TESL-J can be a great starting point.

addressing Challenges: When to Seek Support

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, children may struggle with developmental delays or behavioral issues. It’s important to seek professional help if you have concerns.

Early Intervention: If you suspect your child is experiencing a developmental delay, early intervention services can provide valuable support.

Child Psychologist or Therapist: A child psychologist or therapist can help address behavioral issues, emotional difficulties, or trauma.

* Pediatrician Consultation: Your pediatrician can rule out any underlying medical conditions and provide referrals to specialists if needed.

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