Obesity in children (or childhood obesity) happens when fat in the body is gathered excessively, in a way that threatens one’s health. Obesity in children is one of the top concerns of childcare in Canada. According to the Government of Canada Obesity rates among children and youth in Canada have nearly tripled in the last 30 years. These alarming rates show that many aspects of children’s health (of which a babysitter has to be aware) have been underestimated.

Unfortunately, many people do not treat childhood obesity as a disease and therefore do not take it seriously. A babysitter along with the parents, must know that obesity is a medical condition and that it needs special care.

Obesity has different causes and many a time a combination of them is involved in this medical condition. Obesity in children can be deeply rooted in our genes and DNA. Genetic factors also extend to one’s mother’s nutrition during her pregnancy. One common cause is having an inappropriate diet. Obesity in children is usually associated with a lack of physical activity as well.

Here are some practical tips and activities that a babysitter can use to prevent or treat obesity in children:

Physical activity Vs. Obesity

Lack of physical activity is a major concern for child care in Canada. Many people have been struggling with physical inactivity and its consequences over the past year.  Since the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic, obesity in children has worsened which shows the importance of regular physical activities. Everybody is aware that one has to do exercises regularly to keep their body healthy, but it is not that simple. A good way to start doing exercises and physical activities is to set goals. Having a certain target helps babysitters to focus on what they want to do and makes the path clearer for them. If you want the goals to be practical and achievable consider starting from an easy level and getting to more difficult stages step by step. In this way, it will be more interesting for children as well. If you, a parent, or a friend accompany the children, there is a higher chance of achieving the goals.

Diet

Children’s diet is an important part of child care. Diet plays a major role in children’s health and a nanny has to make sure that a diet meets children’s needs. But nowadays many children have access to numerous kinds of food and many of them can cause obesity in children. This is the reason that children should not be left to their own and choose all they want to eat.

Make sure that you explain the negative effects of sugary foods and snacks on their body. You have to make sure that enough healthy food such as fruits and milk is accessible to the children. There is a much higher chance that children will eat healthy if the healthy food is accessible easily. Do not be too strict as children also need sugary foods and it is important to get different substances.

If a babysitter has problems with managing the quantity of a child’s food, they can take other measures. A good and simple way to control the amount of food that a child has is to start with smaller portions. Make sure that it is enough but if the child is still hungry, they can ask for more. This can help the children to overcome their overeating.

Having meals with family members can also be of help. This can have positive impacts on children and help them control their overeating.

The Importance of a Balanced Diet

The importance of children’s diet is not just about the quantity of their food. One understands the importance of diet when one sees its effect on other parts of their life. Many aspects of children’s life including their education and growth depends heavily on their nutrition. An appropriate diet has to contain diverse nutrients such as vitamins and proteins. Do not forget that not any food that contains a high amount of calories is a good choice to provide the child with energy. You as a babysitter have to limit the consumption of foods that contain trans fats, too much salt or sugar, or refined grain.

An effective way to make a balanced diet is to have homemade meals. Cooking the food helps you to add all the nutrients that are necessary and avoid harmful substances at the same time.

Sleep Deprivation and Obesity in Children

Sleep is a chief need of the body and allows your brain and body to refresh after a long day. Sleep deprivation causes children a lot of trouble such as sleepiness and exhaustion, memory issues, and immune disorders. Sleep deprivation can also cause or worsen obesity in children. Sleep deprivation can disrupt the functions of the digestive system. We may have an appetite for extra food or less activity, which themselves are causes of obesity. A babysitter, therefore, has to make sure that children get enough sleep. If a child has problems with falling asleep, here are some technics that can work:

✓Children have to avoid drinks that contain caffeine such as tea or coffee, especially during the night.

✓Regular exercise not only keeps the body from accumulating fats directly but also guarantees better sleep.

✓As long naps let the brain go into deep stages of sleep, is not appropriate for obese children. Waking up after entering these stages will cause sleepiness.

✓You should keep the children from having heavy lunch before sleeping.

✓Make sure that children have a sleep routine since irregular sleep patterns lead to many problems as mentioned. Making sleep routines is difficult in the beginning but once the child is used to it, there is no difficulty.

Final Word

It is right that obesity in children is dangerous and can cause other diseases as well, but firstly, you have to make sure that a child is obese. If a child seems a little overweight it does not necessarily mean that a babysitter can assume that they suffer from childhood obesity. A doctor has to visit the children, check their BMI, and perform other diagnostic tests before making sure of it.

If you are to make long-lasting changes, you have to be patient. These improvements do not happen overnight and children need time to change their behavior. Keep in mind that you have to inform the parents and doctors if you are to make these changes.