How should you talk to your children about their weight?
According to the HSE, six in 10 Irish adults are overweight and doctors are increasingly worried about the weight of children as well.
On The Pat Kenny Show, mother of two and Clinical Psychologist Malie Coyne said if you are worried about your child’s weight, it might be best to avoid addressing it directly with them.
“I certainly don’t think that it’s something that you’d go straight in and talk to your child about,” she said.
“I’m just very afraid of the shame and the blame that may crop up from something like that.”
Today we are launching the Healthy Weight for Children Framework (0-6). This provides a strategic direction for a national and sustainable approach to facilitating healthy weight and the prevention of obesity in children aged 0-6 years in Ireland. #HealthyWeightForChildren (1/4) pic.twitter.com/BXxDYf9ETM
— HSE Ireland (@HSELive) November 28, 2019
As a teenager, Ms Coyne struggled with anorexia and suggested parents should talk to their children about the benefits of healthy living.
“I think it’s better to focus on things like... talking about the foods that make us feel good and strong and healthy and energetic,” she said.
“Then the foods that we have as treats which are not foods that we have every day.
“It’s very much promoting a health message, as opposed to talking about someone as ‘fat’ or ‘obese’... because that’s not going to be helpful.”
Treats
For those who worry their children will continue to demand sugary treats no matter what, Ms Coyne suggested parents stop buying them and make clear they are only there as an occasional treat.
“The reason we have this obesity issue is because we have such access to unhealthy foods,” she said.
“When we go into a newsagent, it’s hard for parents to keep their children away, even in the supermarket - there’s constant treats at every event.
“What you could do is say something like, ‘We’re going to as a family try to really think of our health and our energy. So, we’re going to get some healthier snacks into the house’ - and let them be part of making those choices.”
A GP can refer a child to a dietician to support you build healthy food and drink habits.
Main image: A child standing on weighing scales. Picture by: Alamy.com
