Childhood Obesity: A Growing Epidemic
What is obesity in children?
Childhood obesity is defined as weight being well above normal for the child age and height. It is one of our nations leading health threats. Today about 25 million children ages 2-19 in this country are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. According to the Nemours Foundation, approximately one of three children can be classified as overweight or obese.
Numerous environmental factors have contributed to the increase in childhood obesity, including urban sprawl, availability of junk food, growing portion sizes, lack of safe play areas, and the increasing popularity of television, video games, and computer use.
Obesity is associated with a variety of cardiovascular disease risk factors such as elevated blood pressure, elevated lipid levels, and heightened insulin or glucose levels. All these factors are precursors for heart disease or Type 2 diabetes in young adults. These children are also at increased risk of low self-esteem because of the social emphasis on appearance and being slim. Overweight children have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults.
Kids do not want to be fat, but oftentimes, they do not know how to carry on the best lifestyle possible. It is essential that the whole family should change their eating and living habits. Here are some tips:
Increase Physical Activity
Kids are naturally active and get great exercise even on their own. They are suppose to spend 8 hours a day running around outside. Then the adults command them indoors, sit them down for most of the day, give them a pile of homework and make them watch TV for the rest of the day. Perhaps parents can spend time doing recreational activities at home or at the park, instead. Most of all, parents should be role models to their children to help create in their young minds a mental model of a good health.
Encourage your child to walk or ride their bikes to school accompanied by an adult. Parents should demonstrate the importance of physical activity by joining in. Start with small changes, like taking a family walk after dinner once a week. Set reasonable, measurable goals and implement them.
Healthier Eating Habits
A lot of what we eat is quick and easy. We eat more snacks, eat on the run, and eat larger portions from fat-laden fast food to microwave and prepackaged meals. However, treating and preventing obesity among children should involve the whole family.
Research suggests that a child with obese parents is ten-times more likely to be obese. This raises the obvious scenario of an obese child environment where there is likely to be ready access to large quantities of energy-dense foods, provided by his or her parents, who also consume such. Parents should take the lead in introducing a healthy diet. It is essential that the whole family should change their eating and living habits. It is not possible that the child alone takes a different type of food while others consume the food forbidden to him.
If parents find that they cannot help their children lose weight with a nutritious eating plan and physical activity, it may be time to consult a doctor. Overweight children should not be put on a diet unless a physician supervises one for medical reasons. A restrictive diet may not supply the energy and nutrients needed for normal growth and development.
Having our children lead a healthy life can be made easier by implementing certain steps at the community level. You can promote walking contests in your neighborhood or write to your councilman about healthy food options in schools and day care centers. Little things here and there can slowly contribute to a healthier lifestyle for kids.
Prevention is therefore, key in preparing our children for a healthy adolescence and adulthood. Environment, behavior and genetics all play a role in childhood obesity; the most important thing is to focus on changing those things we can control, like behavior. That is right – the old diet and exercise advice.
Rochester Athletic Club, Rochester Health Club and Rochester Personal Training dedicate their services to fitness and health.
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December 26th, 2009 at 10:07 am
The only way you can manage obesity is throught Proper Diet and lots of exercise. The human body is designed for work so we should always get some form of physical exercise to stay fit.
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