‘Quarantine 15’ is a real thing, and it is impacting children as well as adults. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we want to recognize National Childhood Obesity Month and offer our Middlesex County families some tools to fight this dangerous weight gain trend.

Be Mindful—sitting on the couch with a bag of chips while your child watches their favorite television show is a classic non-mindful approach to eating. Eating while doing something else leads to consuming way more than a single serving. Be aware of when your child is eating and why. Help them avoid boredom eating. If you know they’ve had an appropriate amount of food and snacks for the day, redirect them to a more active pursuit like playing outside or taking a bike ride.

Pay Attention to Portions—know what your child’s daily calorie intake should be (if you’re unsure, check with the pediatrician). Help children use visual cues like the size of their fist, for example, to determine appropriate portion sizes. Check packages to find out what constitutes a serving and then take out that amount to eat and put the rest away.

Build a Better Plate—many children and parents are unaware of what a healthy dinner plate should look like. Start by filling half the plate with vegetables or salad. Then fill one remaining quarter with lean protein and the other with carbohydrates.

Encourage Physical Activity Daily—children should get at least one hour of exercise daily. It can take the form of a sport, an activity like hiking or rollerblading, or free play in the yard. Asking your child to help with more strenuous chores like raking leaves or turning over a garden is another way to burn more calories.

Children who are overweight are more likely to experience foot pain and problems. If your child is complaining of any podiatric discomfort, make an appointment at our Cromwell office by calling: (860) 632-5499. Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, will examine your child’s feet and ask questions about his or her lifestyle and habits. The foot doctor will diagnose the source of your child’s pain and suggest ways to improve podiatric and overall health.

Questions or Comments?

We encourage you to contact us whenever you have an interest or concern about our services.

Call Today (860) 632-5499

162 West St Ste K Cromwell, CT 06416