How Being An Overweight Mom Can Lead to Obese Children (Photo by Robin Stickel on Unsplash)
While India is known for being the #1 country with an underweight population, in the past two years, India has climbed its way to the top 5 obese countries in the world. This is clearly a health problem in India where both parent and child are at high risk of obesity. Mothers have it harder as they tend to juggle several responsibilities, which results in neglecting their own health. However, living a sedentary lifestyle due to motherhood can’t be an excuse for not getting in shape. It’s essential for a mother to do her best to take care of her own health and well-being as this will have a domino effect on her kids, too.
Recognize the Health Problem Now
In 2016, India ranked third as the highest county with an obese population of women alone. Back then, there were already 20 million obese Indian women, which is 5.3% of the global population. According to Majid Ezzati, a professor at the School of Public Health, Imperial College London, “…by 2025, global obesity prevalence will reach 18% in men and surpass 21% in women; severe obesity will surpass 6% in men and 9% in women.” With a prevalent health issue like this, it will indeed be hard to make a change, but you have to. It’s not just for your sake, but for your family as well. With a prevalent health issue like this, it will indeed be hard to make a change, but you have to. It’s not just for your sake, but for your family as well.
There’s an 80 percent chance that children of overweight parents will be obese when they’re adolescents. This is a good reason why you must recognize your health problem now and do something about it. The moment you realize what you need to do, you have to follow through. Even if this means changing the family’s diet, spending time in the gym, or even reducing the screen time of your children, just do it. The more time they spend in front of a phone, tablet, computer or TV, the more physically inactive they’ll be.
It’s Time to Take Out the Junk and Eat Healthier
As the official cook of the family, your children’s diet mainly depends on you. First off, plan your weekly menu, so you won’t have to stress out about what to cook every lunch and dinner time. You may not notice it, but the stress you’re feeling only results in poor food choices like fast food and microwavable meals, sounds familiar?
Next, remove all the unhealthy food in your kitchen and pantry and replace it with healthier options. Yes, that’s more fruits, vegetables, seeds, whole grains and nuts for everyone. Remember, mom and dad have to eat those, too. Last, make sure to stop buying sugary drinks as well. According to Dr. Pradeep Chowbey, there has been a 300% increase in the consumption of sugary sodas by Indian children in the past two decades. These sugary drinks add to a child’s weight problem.
Moms Deserve to Look Great, Too
It is crucial that your family sees how you go the extra mile to take care of yourself whether it’s through exercising, dieting, or trying to look presentable everywhere you go. Nowadays, moms are having a hard time losing the baby weight off, even when their children have grown. Have you given any thought to undergoing any procedure to help you lose weight? Cosmetic treatments are a great option as they’re a personalized method of body sculpting for mothers. You can also go through a tummy tuck or liposuction. Several aesthetic surgery centers offer these services.
You may also ask about non-invasive surgical procedures, so you won’t have any downtime which can greatly affect the management of the household. Just feel free to consult a plastic surgeon about your weight loss goals and concerns and discuss which is the best program for you. There’s no shame in seeking help. What’s important is that you’re taking a step towards becoming healthier and feeling good about yourself. In turn, your positive vibe will affect your family’s, too.
A mother’s role in the life of her children is immense, and you must realize early on how much power you have in ensuring your child’s health. But to do that, you must not forget about taking care of yourself first. Within yourself, you must know the value of putting health as a top priority in your family. This way, your children can also comprehend better why taking care of their health is vital in their lives.
Disclaimer: The above is a guest post
