Childhood Obesity

The right diet is the key to managing many diseases and to improving general quality of life. For this condition, scientific research has found benefit in the following healthy eating tips.

• Fasting Diet

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  Very-low-calorie “modified fasting” diets have helped kids lose weight in the short-term, but the weight often returns and health risks are associated with the use of these diets.

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  Fasting Diet

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  Very-low-calorie “modified fasting” diets, typically using high-protein meal replacement beverages, have been tried in preliminary and controlled studies of obese children with good short-term results.^29,30 However, weight lost with these diets is often regained and there are health risks associated with their use.³¹ Little is known about their effect on growth and other health issues in children.

• Low-Glycemic Index Diet

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  Glycemic index and glycemic load measure how much foods raise blood sugar. Kids eating a low-glycemic-load diet have been shown to lose more weight than kids on a typical low-calorie, low-fat diet.

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  Low-Glycemic Index Diet

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  Glycemic index and glycemic load describe the tendency of foods to raise blood sugar. Eating meals containing foods that are low in glycemic index or glycemic load may influence appetite and other body mechanisms that affect excessive weight gain in children.^32,33 A preliminary study reported that obese children using a low-glycemic-index diet lost more weight compared with a similar group using a low-fat diet.³⁴ A controlled trial found that obese adolescents eating freely on a low-glycemic-load diet lost more weight and body fat after six months than did a similar group following a typical low-calorie, low-fat diet.³⁵

• Low-Carbohydrate

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  A study found that overweight adolescents lost more weight with a low-carbohydrate diet than with a low-fat diet, however, more research is needed to validate this finding.

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  Low-Carbohydrate

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  A recent 12-week controlled trial found that overweight adolescents lost more weight with a low-carbohydrate diet than with a low-fat diet.³⁶ Very-low-carbohydrate (ketogenic) diets have been shown to cause rapid weight loss in very obese children in short-term preliminary and controlled trials,^37,38 but the long-term safety and benefits of this type of diet are unknown. More research is needed to evaluate low-carbohydrate diets for treating childhood obesity.

• Eating Healthy

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  Research whole foods and help your children choose healthy long-term eating habits.

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  Eating Healthy

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  Unhealthful eating patterns resulting in overconsumption of foods high in fat, calories, or added sugars are considered a major contributor to childhood obesity.³⁹ Since these patterns often include habits learned from the family, attention should be paid to providing healthful food to the entire family and encouraging good role modeling by other family members.⁴⁰

  Guiding healthful food choices when eating outside of the home is also a priority. To teach good lifetime eating habits, try the following:⁴¹

  • Make healthful foods easy to see at home and keep unhealthful foods out of sight
  • Plan meals and snacks ahead of time so that healthy choices will be available
  • Avoid using food as a reward or withholding food as punishment
  • Eat slowly and pay attention to when you are hungry and when you are satisfied
  • Eat at a designated location such as a dining table, rather than in front of the TV
  • Aim for several servings of fruits and vegetables every day
  • Drink water when thirsty instead of beverages with added sugars
  • Start the day with a healthful breakfast to prevent cravings later on

  There is only limited research on the prevention of childhood obesity with diet. Preliminary studies have found that breast-feeding during infancy is usually associated with a reduced risk of developing obesity during early childhood, though the reasons for this effect are unclear.^42,43,44 In a controlled study of children between the ages of 7 and 12, a school-based education program designed to reduce carbonated-drink consumption resulted in a reduction in the number of overweight children after 12 months.⁴⁵

• Heart Health

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  Most authorities believe that the best diet for treating childhood obesity is a heart-healthy diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, but high in vitamins, minerals, and other important nutrients.

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  Heart Health

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  Most authorities believe that the best diet for treating childhood obesity is a heart-healthy diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, but high in vitamins, minerals, and other important nutrients. ⁴⁶ However, few studies have actually compared different diets for their effectiveness in treating childhood obesity.