Childhood obesity is a big problem in the United States. Watching TV, gaming, lack of exercise, and high-fat fast foods have combined to make weight gain a problem for children. Your pediatrician can help develop meal plans and provide nutritional counseling services, so your child can maintain a healthy weight. The doctors at Premier Pediatrics provide a wide range of pediatric medical care, including nutritional counseling. They have two convenient office locations in Brighton, and Commerce City, CO.

What You Need To Know About Childhood Weight Management and Nutrition

Let’s first look at the proper amount of calories your child should consume, by age and gender. According to healthychildren.org, children should consume:

• 1000 calories, if your child is 2-3 years old
• 1200-1400 calories, if your child is 4-8 years old
• 1400-1600 calories if you have a girl, or 1600-2000 calories if you have a boy 9-13 years old
• 1800 calories if you have a girl, or 2000-2400 calories if you have a boy 14-18 years old

Calories are an important part of a proper diet, but eating the right foods is equally important. You want your child to eat:

• Lean proteins like fish and poultry, and avoid high-fat meats
• Vegetables and fruits, especially with a high fiber content, so your child feels full
• Whole grains, and avoid highly processed foods
• Low-fat dairy products, and avoid full-fat dairy products

Your pediatrician may ask you or your child to keep a food diary of what your child eats. This is often the best way to determine where to add foods and cut back on foods that are high in calories and low in nutritional value. Your pediatrician may also ask you or your child to record how much exercise your child gets in a day or a week. This is another great way to increase activity if necessary.

Want To Know More?

To find out more about the benefits of nutritional counseling to prevent childhood obesity, call the doctors at Premier Pediatrics. You can reach them in either of their office locations in Brighton, or Commerce City, CO, by calling (303) 655-1685, so call today.