Dangers of Overfeeding Kids

Feeding your kids is one of those basic parenting duties that come naturally. Children require a healthy variety of foods to fulfill their nutrient needs, to help them grow and develop normally. While you want to make sure they get enough to eat, feeding them too much poses health risks, particularly when combined with a sedentary lifestyle. Talk to your child's pediatrician about an appropriate amount of food for his age, activity level and health status.

  1. Obesity

    • Regularly consuming more calories than are burned results in weight gain. If you give your child huge meals and several snacks throughout the day, she's likely overdoing it on calories and she could start putting on too many pounds. An overweight child has excess body weight for her height, which could be from fat, muscle, water or bone; while an obese child is too heavy due to excess body fat alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Once obese, children have a very hard time dropping excess weight, notes Dr. Philippe Froguel, professor at the school of public health at Imperial College London. In 2010, more than one-third of children were overweight or obese, according to the CDC. While health issues are sometimes to blame, eating too much and not getting enough exercise are among the most common causes, according to MayoClinic.com.

    Heart Disease

    • Overweight children have an increased risk of heart disease as they grow older because a poor diet contributes to high cholesterol and high blood pressure, notes MayoClinic.com. Overfeeding your child often means they are getting too much fat and calories, which contributes to heart disease. Too much salt is another concern when kids eat too much, especially if processed foods comprise much of their diet. High sodium levels increase blood pressure and up the odds of developing heart problems.

    Early Puberty

    • Puberty is a tough time for kids, but when it happens too early, children can struggle with the changes more than they would later in life. Obesity alters hormone levels in your child's body, according to MayoClinic.com. These imbalances can jump-start puberty in children who are younger than the average. This includes early menstruation in girls. Young children might not be emotionally prepared to handle the changes that accompany puberty, making the transition hard to handle for kids and parents. Prevent this by making sure your child isn't eating more than is healthy for his age and size.

    Social Issues

    • Being heavier than peers can cause social and emotional problems that have a damaging impact on children. Overweight and obese kids are often the target of bullies who make fun of their size. This can lower self-esteem and increase the risk of depression and anxiety, according to MayoClinic.com. Mood imbalances can drive the cycle by making kids want to eat more for comfort. Overweight kids might also act out and display behavioral problems, which has an impact on their learning at school.

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