Childhood Obesity: A Growing Epidemic

Definition of Childhood Obesity

When a child is in a weight class above the normal for height and age, he or she is considered obese. It is a serious medical condition that affects about 15 percent of children. Nearly 25 million children and teens in the United States are obese or overweight. During the past four decades, obesity rates have soared among all age groups, increasing more than four times among children ages 6 to 11.

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.

Obesity in children must be addressed and studies show that tackling this problem early on can prevent the serious problems associated with it. Overweight children need the support of their families and communities. Health newsletters, walking contests, marathons, healthy food option, community-based programs on health and weight loss can all contribute to a healthier lifestyle for kids.

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.

One study showed only about a quarter of kids has physical education class at school. You can increase a childs physical activity by encouraging him to walk or ride his bike to school accompanied by an adult. Demonstrate the importance of physical activity by walking or biking with him.

Encourage Healthier Eating

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.

Even if a parent is faced with a child with a weight problem, a child should never be placed on an extremely restrictive diet or prevent them from eating when hungry. A child needs nutrients and calories to help them develop and grow. Consult a pediatrician if you find that you cannot help your child lose weight with a nutritious eating plan and physical activity.

Emotions also play a major role in childhood obesity, as emotional eating sabotages many weight loss efforts. Children may also have a hard time giving up their junk food snacks. Obese children need not eat less, but learn to eat differently. Help them eat the right foods, in the right combination, at the right times, healthy eating is balanced eating, including varied and nutritionally dense food choices.

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.

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There are Many Reasons For Childhood Obesity

Being concerned with the reasons for childhood obesity is a very good idea for any parent. It isIt’s only when you recognize the true causes of this condition that you can truly work toward fixing it. Neglecting the problem will not make it disappear. And when a child grows up overweight or obese it’s that far more difficult to keep the weight under control as an adult. So, what are the common causes of childhood obesity and what may a family do to address these causes?

Think of the typical lifestyle that many people lead today and you may get your first indication as to the typical causes of childhood obesity. Children just do not go outdoors and have fun anymore. Usually they spend their spare time performing video games or computer games or watching the television set. Physical inactivity is one of the causes of childhood obesity. The body must burn the calories it assimilates from eating. Any extra calories not burned off are stored as fat.

Nowdays people also normally drive everywhere instead of taking a walk. Children ride the bus to school and are often driven to the bus stop itself. They’re driven to their friend’s house and to the corner store. And when it is time to do chores around the house we have numerous labor-saving devices that restrict physical activity as well. Power lawnmowers, snow blowers, and leaf blowers mean that even when performing work around the house there is very little exertion expended. All of this lack of activity and lack of physical exertion is another part of those causes of childhood obesity.

The diet that many people follow is another part of those causes of childhood obesity. Much of the food that people ingest is very unhealthy. It is typically cooked with added oil, butter, and sugar to raise the flavor. Unfortunately, this also hightens the calorie count! Fast food and junk food are two prime culprits. Hamburgers, fries, potato chips, and items like these are very caloriecompact meaning they have a lot of calories for the amount of nutrient you get. Fast food restaurants are decidedly a large part of the common causes of childhood obesity! Enclosed in this are the many vending machines that are just about everywhere, including the schools. Most of their contents contain sugary foods and sodas. It’s not unusual for youngsters to eat literally thousands and thousands of excess calories weekly. This, even if it doesn’t look as if anyone is overeating.

These primary causes of childhood obesity can be handled by any prudent parent. There is no need to go to extremes and anticipate that your child to become a star athlete or to never have a hamburger again. But being balanced and moderate can go a long way in this respect. Handling these causes of childhood obesity may be as easy as going for a walk after dinner as a family or going for bike rides on a regular basis. Serve healthy and nourishing foods at home to balance out the excess calories children get when on their own, and your child should maintain a healthy weight.

Childhood Obesity on the Rise

With techology becoming a focul point in our society many children are spedning a lot of thier time playing video games and computer games. Children are speding more time sitting around causing a huge increase in childhood obesity. Instead of being active children are sitting around entertaining themselves with technology.

The rate of childhood obesity is growing becasue children are not being physical active therefore are not burning enough calories. other reasons can contribute to childhood obesity as well. If childhood obesity isnt contained at an early age then the same children may grow up to have the same problems later in life.

The reason childhood obesity exists is becasue of poor diet and exercise. children are sitting around more and nont burning the calories needed to stay in shape. Childhood obesity also occurs due to an unhealthy diet. Due to the busy lifestyle many of us lead these days childrend tend to eat more fast food and unehalthy snacks. Childrens diets are not being regulated and much allowing them to snack between meals.

When choosing to make a change in your childs diet and exercise routine it is imporant to check with a physician first. This way you can make sure your child doesnt have any pre existing conditions causing the childhood obesity first. When the problem is simply diet and exercise fixing these two components will reduce the childs risks.

When choosing to change your childs diet it is important for you and your family to do the same. By displayinig healthy eating habits and incorporating exercise in yoru routine it sets a good example for the child. Keeping healthy foods in the house will also help contribute to a healthier meals and a healthier lifestyle.

Childhood obesity occurs due to a lack of exercise so involving yoru child in some sort of sport or activity is a good idea. Young children can simply play at a park or walk around helping with calorie burning.

Since childhood obesity rates keep growing it is a good idea to keep your kids healhty through a healthy diet and exercise. When kids stay healthy at a young age they will stay that way and it will prevent future problems.