CEMH Healthy Growth: A Family Guide | Family education only - please discuss individual care with your doctor Healthy Growth A family guide to excess weight and related health concerns in children Small steps. Whole-family support. Better health. For families of children and adolescents in IndiaCEMH Healthy Growth: A Family Guide | Family education only - please discuss individual care with your doctor CHAPTER 1 Is my child carrying excess weight? Do not judge by appearance. Check growth over time. HEIGHT + WEIGHT → BMI-FOR-AGE CHART One reading is not enough. Your doctor looks at the growth pattern. Adult BMI cut-offs do not apply to children.CEMH Healthy Growth: A Family Guide | Family education only - please discuss individual care with your doctor CHAPTER 1 Signs that need a doctor’s review Most children have no symptoms. These clues should not be ignored. Very thirsty / frequent urine Loud snoring Breathless with play Dark neck skin Knee or hip pain Irregular periodsCEMH Healthy Growth: A Family Guide | Family education only - please discuss individual care with your doctor CHAPTER 2 How can health be affected? Complications can begin silently. Early checks help. Mood Sleep Blood pressure Fatty liver Blood sugar Cholesterol Joints HormonesCEMH Healthy Growth: A Family Guide | Family education only - please discuss individual care with your doctor CHAPTER 3 Why does excess weight happen? Many pieces fit together. Family genes Early life Food around us Long sitting Late screens / less sleep Medicines / illness No blame. Make changes as a family. Never tease, compare siblings or punish with food.CEMH Healthy Growth: A Family Guide | Family education only - please discuss individual care with your doctor CHAPTER 4 Six habits for a healthier day Start with one or two. Add more when the family is ready. Say no to sugary drinks Eat together Play every day Break up sitting Phone-free sleep Walk together Daily movement: For ages 5–17, build towards at least 60 minutes of active play or exercise.CEMH Healthy Growth: A Family Guide | Family education only - please discuss individual care with your doctor CHAPTER 4 Choose movement your child enjoys Fun movement is easier to repeat every day. Family walk Football Badminton Cycling safely Skipping Dancing Any movement counts. Start slowly, play safely and build towards 60 minutes a day.CEMH Healthy Growth: A Family Guide | Family education only - please discuss individual care with your doctor CHAPTER 5 Build a balanced Indian plate Portions should be personalised for age, growth, appetite, activity and medical needs. About half About one quarter About one quarter Alongside Vegetables and salad Protein: dal, chana, rajma, sprouts, paneer, curd, egg, fish or lean chicken Whole grains/starch: roti, bhakri, rice, millet, poha or upma Water; one whole fruit; milk/curd as appropriate Simple rule: More colour from vegetables, enough protein at each meal, sensible grain portions, and water instead of sweet drinks.CEMH Healthy Growth: A Family Guide | Family education only - please discuss individual care with your doctor CHAPTER 5 Use the traffic-light guide No food needs to be called “bad.” Frequency and portion are what matter. GREEN — EAT OFTEN YELLOW — SOMETIMES RED — OCCASIONALLY Remember: Whole fruit is better than juice. Water is the everyday drink.CEMH Healthy Growth: A Family Guide | Family education only - please discuss individual care with your doctor CHAPTER 5 Picture swaps for everyday meals Keep familiar foods. Change the balance, portion or drink. Swap — do not punish. Serve the same healthier choices to the whole family.CEMH Healthy Growth: A Family Guide | Family education only - please discuss individual care with your doctor CHAPTER 6 Plan oil and ghee for the month Keep oil + ghee combined below 300 mL per person per month. 300 mL × 4 people = 1,200 mL 4-member family: less than 1.2 L per month Count everything: All cooking oil + ghee used at home are included in this monthly total.CEMH Healthy Growth: A Family Guide | Family education only - please discuss individual care with your doctor CHAPTER 6 Six-member family plan Grandparents and children are included in the family count. 300 mL × 6 people = 1,800 mL 6-member family: less than 1.8 L per month Easy tracking: Decide the monthly household limit and measure oil and ghee from that amount.CEMH Healthy Growth: A Family Guide | Family education only - please discuss individual care with your doctor CHAPTER 7 A day in Rohan’s life The child is the same in both columns. Which day would you choose? Try one swap this week: For example: water at dinner, a vegetable added to breakfast, a 20-minute family walk, or screens off during meals. Build from there.CEMH Healthy Growth: A Family Guide | Family education only - please discuss individual care with your doctor Your next appointment Bring this page and your questions Child’s name ____________________________________________ Date __________________ Height __________________ Weight __________________ BMI / percentile __________________ Blood pressure __________________ Questions for the doctor ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________CEMH Healthy Growth: A Family Guide | Family education only - please discuss individual care with your doctor Centre for Endocrine & Metabolic Health Endocrinology care for children and adults Dr. Adway Kulkarni Dr. Vrushali Kulkarni Endocrinology Consultant Pediatric Endocrinology Consultant MBBS, DNB (Medicine) DrNB (Endocrinology) MBBS, MD (Pediatrics), DNB (Pediatrics) ISPAE Fellowship, BJ Wadia Children’s Hospital, Mumbai ESPE Fellowship, RMCH Manchester Clinical Observership, RCH Melbourne Appointments: 9137396433 dradway@cemhcare.com Appointments: 7620351240 drvrushali@cemhcare.com Clinic address 2nd Floor, Seatherny Hospital, Sodawala Lane, Nutan Nagar, Borivali West, Mumbai - 400092 Please bring this booklet to follow-up visits. It can help your family review goals and discuss progress with the treating team. Clinical sources: WHO physical activity and sedentary behaviour guideline (2020); IAP screen time and digital wellness guideline (2022); AAP clinical practice guideline for childhood obesity (2023). Family education only - this booklet does not replace individual medical assessment.
