12_BT_December2019

When to seek professional help?
If you have changed your family’s eating and physical activity
habits and your child has not reached a healthy weight, or if
your doctor determines that your child’s health or emotional
well-being is at risk because of his or her weight, you may
want to consider a weight-control program.
Depending on your child's BMI, age, and health, your
doctor may refer you to a registered dietitian, psychologist,
exercise physiologist or encourage you to get your child’s
heart checked. Check-ups can be done at the National Heart
Institute of Malaysia, or better known as Institut Jantung
Negara (IJN).
Institut Jantung Negara (IJN)
IJN is Malaysia's premier heart centre. IJN
provides cardiology and cardiothoracic
surgery services for both adult and
paediatric cases. As the national referral
centre for cardiovascular, IJN sees new
cases referred from all over the country
and abroad as well as follow-up cases at the
outpatient clinics.
3 Myths & truths about childhood
obesity!
Myth: Childhood obesity is genetic, so there is nothing you
can do about it.
Truth: A person’s genes do influence weight, but are only
one small part of the equation. Most kids can maintain a
healthy weight if they eat right and exercise.
Myth: Children who are obese or overweight should be put
on a diet.
Truth: Unless directed by your child’s doctor otherwise, the
treatment for childhood obesity is not weight loss. The goal
should be to stop weight gain.
Myth: It’s just baby fat. He will outgrow the weight.
Truth: The majority of children who are
overweight at any time during the preschool
or elementary school are still overweight
as they enter their teens. Most kids do not
outgrow the problem.
Reference
• www.helpguide.org
• www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
• www.webmd.com
BabyTalk | December 2019 29