Some parents believe that they should put overweight children on a diet. Weight management experts believe that if a child is gaining so much weight that he is showing co-morbidities like high blood pressure, hypolipoproteinemia, and high blood sugar, then, in some cases, it can be appropriate to place a child on a weight-reducing diet. This is because that is the only tool available right now if a child’s health is in immediate danger. But, in general, it is best to simply encourage healthful habits in children, and not have the focus be on weight, but rather have the focus be on health, leading a healthy, responsible lifestyle. A slightly overweight child that has a pre-pubertal fat spurt doesn’t need to be put on a diet. Dieting in children should be reserved for those who are really in trouble and it should be done strictly under medical advice.
