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Guidelines for the Management of Overweight and Obese Children in Australia

· Lifestyle,healthy,diet

In 2013, the Australian Government’s Department of Health and Ageing commissioned the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to develop Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Overweight and Obese Adults, Adolescents and Children in Australia. The effects of being overweight or obese are recognised as one of Australia’s leading health problems, which involve every age group regardless of socioeconomic status.
 

The recommendations promote healthy lifestyle behaviours for the whole family rather than focusing solely on the overweight child or adolescent.

The most significant benefit of weight management in childhood and adolescence is in the prevention of being overweight or obese in adulthood.
Current Australian guidelines on dietary and water intake, physical activity and sedentary behaviour should form the basis of healthy advice.
The key messages that were derived from recommendations are highlighted below:
Encourage children:
- to drink more water (whilst avoiding sugary drinks like cordial, energy drinks, sports drinks, fruit drinks, vitamin waters and soft drink)
- to eat healthily by to improving nutrition and being a good role model
- eat regular meals, including breakfast and snacks
- to develop healthy ways of managing emotions (i.e. that don’t involve food)
- to reduce screen time (e.g. reduce watching television or DVDs, or using a computer or hand-held video device)
- to get involved in fun exercise activities every day (e.g. team sports, playing games with balls, or walking or bike riding)
- to participate in family leisure activities that involve being active (as opposed to watching movies)
If you are interested in more details, just go to the NHMRC website: https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/guidelines-publications/n57