Children Obesity and Dr. Atkins Low Carb Diet

Childhood Obesity and Dr. Atkins’ Low Carb Diet

The Worldwide medical community is concerned with the rapidly increasing problem of childhood obesity. A controlled carbohydrate diet, such as Dr. Atkins’ low carbohydrate diet, is a vital component in the treatment of obese and overweight children.

Obesity

A child may be considered to be obese when excess body fat impacts negatively on the child’s health or wellbeing. Skinfold measures have been used extensively and more recently the BMI, an index that is calculated by dividing one’s weight in kilograms by the square of one’s height in meters, is the measure being used.

“The International Obesity Task Force” is one of the most reputable sources of worldwide obesity statistics. According to it, more than 22 million children under 5 are overweight or obese. Also, 300 million people worldwide are estimated to be obese. Another 750 million are overweight. The US has the highest rate of obesity in the world. An overweight child is more likely to become an obese adult, so dietary education is critical to break this connection.
In recent years, there has been significant research into childhood obesity. Many specialists worldwide believe the principles of Dr. Atkins‘ low carb diet can be applied to children in the effort to reduce childhood obesity. There are four aspects to consider in this task.

Diagnosis
Treatment
Risks
Prevention.

Before developing an eating regimen for a potentially overweight child, you must ask for counselling from a health care provider. Children grow at different rates and at different times so no parent should plan a low carb diet for their child without research and even medical advice.

If the physician thinks that the child needs to be on a weight or fat control program, then:

Developing a balanced, appropriate, individualized low-carb diet, such as the Atkins’ diet is an eating regimen suitable for the child and more than likely, the whole family.
Ensuring regular and appropriate physical activity habits is a vital ingredient in the fat control programme.

It has been shown that children following the principles of the Atkins’ diet plan can lose excess fat and weight and lay the foundation for healthy adulthood.
A variety of combinations of high-protein foods do reduce children’s appetites for a longer period of time than the empty Calories of refined foods such as bread, soda and biscuits. Combined with regular exercise good results have been produced.

Many cancer specialists endorse the Atkins’ Diet plan for obese and overweight children as reduced obesity is linked to lower likelihood of a variety of cancers.