Treatment Options For Childhood Obesity

Obesity has become an epidemic in this country. High-fat content fast food and sugar-laden snacks are just part of the problem. A sedentary lifestyle of gaming and watching television have led to packing on excess pounds. Obesity is a big problem in children, and our pediatrician can help.

Drs. Havaru Lokesh, Rupal Desai, and Monica Porcelli at A to Z Pediatrics in New Port Richey, FL provide a wide range of children’s medical services, including treatment of childhood obesity.

What You Need To Know About Childhood Obesity

Poor diet is the primary culprit in childhood obesity, so let’s look at how many calories your child needs, depending on the age and gender of your child. 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 for girls, and 1600-2000 calories for boys 9-13 years old
● 1800 calories for girls, and 2000-2400 calories for boys 14-18 years old

Now, let’s look at what a healthy diet should be for children. Your child should consume:

● Lean proteins, including fish, chicken, and turkey
● Fruits, including whole fruits and not fruit juices
● Vegetables, including plenty of green leafy vegetables
● Whole grains, including rice, quinoa, and whole wheat
● Dairy products including milk, yogurt, and cheese

If you are concerned about your child gaining too much weight, you should visit our pediatrician, who may recommend:

● Nutritional counseling to get your child on the right track to achieving a healthy weight
● Meal plans to help you feed your child delicious, healthy meals
● Lifestyle modification to substitute bad habits like too much TV, with healthy habits like exercise

Want to Know More?

To find out more about childhood obesity and treatment options available from our pediatrician, call Drs. Havaru Lokesh, Rupal Desai, and Monica Porcelli at A to Z Pediatrics in New Port Richey, FL. You can reach them in the office by calling (727) 375-5242, so call today.