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Behaviour modification is
the key to successfully navigating through
anti-obesity treatment.
Childhood obesity programs can lead to sustained
weight loss when treatment focuses on behaviour
changes. There are several techniques available
for behaviour therapy, including the following:
- Keep a daily food diary. Help your
child record the type and amount of
food eaten, when, with whom, and where
it was eaten. This will allow your child
and healthcare professional to recognize
and eventually change eating behaviour
patterns. For example, avoid eating
while your child is watching television,
doing homework, or playing computer
games.
- Distinguish between hunger and appetite.
Teach your child cues to control appetite
and schedule meals regularly.
- Identify activities that will divert
attention from food.
- Build self-esteem by changing negative
to positive goals. Avoid weighing your
child at home more than once a week,
and focus on the changes you have made
in behaviour rather than on the numbers
on the scale.
- Reinforce positive new behaviour by
offering rewards for behaviour and not
weight loss. Avoid any food rewards
- be creative!
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