This past decade, children in the U.S. have been dubbed with an obesity epidemic blamed on the proliferation of fast food chains all across the country. As such, parents are panicking to make sure their kids do not overeat or gain too much unnecessary weight.
This past decade, children in the U.S. have been dubbed with an obesity epidemic blamed on the proliferation of fast food chains all across the country. As such, parents are panicking to make sure their kids do not overeat or gain too much unnecessary weight. Unfortunately, this has resulted in children and adolescents becoming obsessed with weight and dieting that a recent study has shown a dramatic rise in eating disorders among younger and younger children.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued a call for pediatricians to include in their routine checkups a screening process testing for various eating disorders among kids, especially anorexia and bulimia. Unfortunately, what makes these disorders difficult to detect in children is that they may not always exhibit the emotional symptoms of being preoccupied with their weight. Experts believe that the best way to check if your child is suffering from any of these disorders is to check their growth against certain standards. After all, a child who is struggling with eating issues will tend to have some effect on his growth.
Following is a list of eight easy ways to tell if your child is properly nourished.
1.He has clear eyes – The eyes are supposedly the window to the soul, as the poet may say. Scientifically, the eyes also give a glimpse of a person’s overall health. Clear eyes usually signal good health, while dull, lifeless eyes may mean the person is emotionally struggling or physically unwell.
2.He has shiny hair and clear skin – The hair contains essential proteins and oils, and nutrients go out the hair as long as there is enough for the rest of the body. The skin also becomes dry and saggy when the body is sick. A low level of essential oils may mean something is missing.
3.He has good muscle development – This is pretty straightforward, since a child who gets enough protein and enough natural exercise will naturally exhibit good muscle development.
4.He has good posture and is alert and cheerful – Posture may be related to at least three things that can be a warning bell for eating disorders: solid bone structure and good physical and emotional health. A child who always slumps may not only have low self-esteem, but he may actually be feeling physically unwell or weak. This is why it is also tied in to the overall disposition of the child, as one who is alert and cheerful will be less prone to the disorder.
5.He sleeps soundly – Good sleep is essential for any child’s proper growth. Restless nights may mean the child is undergoing some form of anxiety, which may be related to weight issues.
6.His bowel movement is regular – Now this may be a little difficult to check for children who are older, but a little extra attention may reveal wonders. After all, a child who does not eat regularly or who barfs up his meal will most likely have irregular bowels.
7.He almost always has a good appetite – This is one clear indication, since a kid who is struggling with weight issues most likely will not eat very much. Of course, the other factors need to be in place in order to rule out the possibility of bulimia.
8.His weight is right for his height – This last clue is an indication whether the child is nourished enough for his age. Comparing weights only does not take into account size differences of kids. Comparing the weight to the average weight of children of his height will be a more accurate gauge.
As you use these simple checks to make sure you child is properly nourished, you can also rest easy that you are helping him avoid eating disorders that are so prevalent today. On the other hand, these are usually just signs and symptoms and may not completely answer the emotional need of the child that will prevent a future lull into those disorders. As such, it would help greatly if you instill a sense of importance in your child at an early age, a value that is not dependent on how he looks or how much he weighs. A strong self-esteem regardless of appearance is an important factor that protects a child from destroying his body with crash diets in order to please other people.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued a call for pediatricians to include in their routine checkups a screening process testing for various eating disorders among kids, especially anorexia and bulimia. Unfortunately, what makes these disorders difficult to detect in children is that they may not always exhibit the emotional symptoms of being preoccupied with their weight. Experts believe that the best way to check if your child is suffering from any of these disorders is to check their growth against certain standards. After all, a child who is struggling with eating issues will tend to have some effect on his growth.
Following is a list of eight easy ways to tell if your child is properly nourished.
1.He has clear eyes – The eyes are supposedly the window to the soul, as the poet may say. Scientifically, the eyes also give a glimpse of a person’s overall health. Clear eyes usually signal good health, while dull, lifeless eyes may mean the person is emotionally struggling or physically unwell.
2.He has shiny hair and clear skin – The hair contains essential proteins and oils, and nutrients go out the hair as long as there is enough for the rest of the body. The skin also becomes dry and saggy when the body is sick. A low level of essential oils may mean something is missing.
3.He has good muscle development – This is pretty straightforward, since a child who gets enough protein and enough natural exercise will naturally exhibit good muscle development.
4.He has good posture and is alert and cheerful – Posture may be related to at least three things that can be a warning bell for eating disorders: solid bone structure and good physical and emotional health. A child who always slumps may not only have low self-esteem, but he may actually be feeling physically unwell or weak. This is why it is also tied in to the overall disposition of the child, as one who is alert and cheerful will be less prone to the disorder.
5.He sleeps soundly – Good sleep is essential for any child’s proper growth. Restless nights may mean the child is undergoing some form of anxiety, which may be related to weight issues.
6.His bowel movement is regular – Now this may be a little difficult to check for children who are older, but a little extra attention may reveal wonders. After all, a child who does not eat regularly or who barfs up his meal will most likely have irregular bowels.
7.He almost always has a good appetite – This is one clear indication, since a kid who is struggling with weight issues most likely will not eat very much. Of course, the other factors need to be in place in order to rule out the possibility of bulimia.
8.His weight is right for his height – This last clue is an indication whether the child is nourished enough for his age. Comparing weights only does not take into account size differences of kids. Comparing the weight to the average weight of children of his height will be a more accurate gauge.
As you use these simple checks to make sure you child is properly nourished, you can also rest easy that you are helping him avoid eating disorders that are so prevalent today. On the other hand, these are usually just signs and symptoms and may not completely answer the emotional need of the child that will prevent a future lull into those disorders. As such, it would help greatly if you instill a sense of importance in your child at an early age, a value that is not dependent on how he looks or how much he weighs. A strong self-esteem regardless of appearance is an important factor that protects a child from destroying his body with crash diets in order to please other people.
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