When the American Academy of Pediatrics officially updated its guidelines on the treatment and prevention of childhood obesity in 2023, they did so in the hopes of combating an alarming rise in what major medical groups like the American Medical Association now view as a complex disease.

Not only did the new guidelines reflect a more nuanced understanding of childhood obesity as being the result of many factors, including genetic, cultural, and environmental, but also recommended a more proactive approach to preventing obesity by building healthy habits.

Still, one in five American children and teenagers aged 2 to 19 have obesity.

We spoke with First Physicians Group pediatrician Dr. Susan Mihm to learn more about how parents can build healthy habits that give their children an advantage in the growing epidemic.

The Impacts of Childhood Obesity

Just as the causes of childhood obesity are varied, its symptoms are wide-ranging and can include:

“Obesity really affects the whole child,” says Dr. Mimh.

Healthy Habits to Prevent Childhood Obesity

There is no single silver bullet to combating childhood obesity. Rather, focus on promoting an all-around healthy lifestyle. Even when times are busy, parents can demonstrate the importance of taking time for those things that improve health and quality of life. And these lessons can start at a young age.

“Parents have an opportunity, when their children are young, to teach them life skills that they will carry for the rest of their lives,” says Dr. Mimh. “If we, as parents, model a healthy lifestyle—and include our children in this—they'll value those things as well.”

• Healthy Sleep: Build a healthy sleep routine, avoiding cups and bottles at bedtime and removing TVs from bedrooms. Those can all be risk factors for poor sleep, and poor sleep habits are a risk factor for obesity.
• Screen time: Screen time can be very difficult for parents to manage with their kids. Try creating screen-free zones in your house, such as the kitchen or the dinner table. And don’t forget to be the role model and put our own phone away too.
• Activity: Children should have at least one hour of activity per day. It can be going for a walk with the family or the dog, kicking a ball around, going to the park or riding a bike—anything that involves movement. Make it fun!
• Engage: Have fun. Take these opportunities to spend quality time with your child and build positive memories and associations with healthy habits.

"When we turn off our electronics and we engage with our children, we benefit immensely" says Dr. Mimh. "And if we do it as a family, we all benefit. So play with your kids and spend quality active time with them. There are lifelong benefits for you and your children."

Promote a Healthy Relationship with Food

Developing a healthy relationship with food and understanding nutrition from a young age can have lifelong benefits. And while everybody (and every body) is different, there are some universal rules to help build a healthy foundation.

• Food should not be punishment.
• Food should not be reward.
• Food should be nutrition and health and fun.

Be a Safe Place & Have the Conversation

Obesity and being overweight can be stigmatizing and painful. Children can be bullied and shamed, so parents and family have to be the safe place where weight can be discussed in a productive and constructive manner. The conversation should be about teamwork and helping everyone be their healthiest selves, not blame or shame.

"I try not to use the word diet with kids, and I try not to use weight as a number," says Dr. Mimh. "I focus on a healthy lifestyle. All we want to do is tweak their habits to maybe a little more health, a little more quality nutrition, maybe a little more exercise and energy output. Small changes can pave the road to lifetime results."

Need A Pediatrician?

To hear more from Dr. Mihm about childhood obesity, catch her on episode 15 of the SMH podcast: SMH HealthCasts.

To learn more about Pediatric Services at First Physicians Group, including locations in Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota, Osprey and Venice, click here.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mihm, click here.

Written by Sarasota Memorial copywriter Philip Lederer, MA, who crafts a variety of external communications for the healthcare system. SMH's in-house wordsmith, Lederer earned his Master's degree in Public Administration and Political Philosophy from Morehead State University, KY, and has a real weakness for donuts.