CHILDHOOD OBESITY
Since
1985,
childhood obesity has tripled reaching epidemic proportions, and
causing outcry over the way our country looks at the problem of
overweight children the future health problems that they face. Today,
about 16% of this nation’s children are considered overweight
with their BMI (body mass index) falling between 85th and 95th
percentile. Around half of overweight children grow up to become obese
adults ( a BMI in the 95thpercentile) and end up suffering
from long term health problems including type 2 diabetes and
other physical complications like orthopedic problems, high blood
pressure and sleep apnea. Being overweight can also lead to
psychological problems like depression, low self esteem, anxiety and
lonelinessWhy children are getting fatter
The rise of affordable fatty foods that are high in sugar and empty calories is cited as one of the major reasons why kids, especially children in low income households, are becoming overweight. Cheap, fast food can be found on every corner and even in school vending machines that are stocked with high calorie snacks and heavily sweetened beverages.
Along with round the clock access to these foods, advertising also plays a major role into what children and their parents choose to eat. Dr. Kelly Brownell, director of the Yale Center for Eating and Weight Disorders, points to the 3 million dollars spent by the US government on their '5 a Day' nutrition education program, compared to the nearly 3 billion dollars that the fast food industry has spent of advertising. Having spent 1000 times as much on ads than the government, it should come as no surprise that Ronald McDonald is the second most recognized figure in the world, right after Santa (who is also reportedly a fan of Ronald).
Portion sizes also play a factor in this country’s expanding waist line. For example, 6 oz used to be the standard size for soda, now the smallest you can get is around 20 oz. Children reportedly get 11% of their daily calories from soft drink which equals around 5 tablespoons of sugar a day! Our nation’s preoccupation with super sized meals, super big gulps, tubs of pop corn and all you can eat buffets has led to poor eating habits for children and adults alike.
How we eat also play a factor. Most people seem to be too busy to prepare a healthy meal at home relying on take out and fast food to feed their families. This means bigger portions, higher fat intake and much less fruits and vegetables.
Our sedentary lifestyle has also contributed to our increasing problem with obesity. A few decades ago, before the dawn of video games and the internet, kids tended to get more physical activity into their day. Nowadays, they spend all of their free time in front of their high definition television or computer. Schools also can be blamed for eliminating physical education and after school programs.
Addressing the problem and taking steps to prevent it can be done, but it may be difficult. Behavior modification problems can be a challenge but can also be very effective at tackling the problems of childhood obesity and overweight. The good thing is that it is easier o change the behavior of a child in danger of becoming obese that it is to change the habits of an adult who already is obese. Family based programs focused on specific behaviors that lead to excessive weight gain seem to be the most promising way in helping the next generation overcome this epidemic.
Here are some things that you as a family can do:
Let your children play outside. Keeping your kids inside to punish them can lead to a sedentary lifestyle. While discipline is important, encouraging them to play outside in order to burn off that excess energy might even help you keep a more orderly household.
Start with a good breakfast: Eating a good breakfast in the morning helps kids stay focused, do better in school and leads to them eating less junk throughout the day.
Eat healthier dinner: Investing time and money into healthy, well prepared dinners will pay off in the long run. Including fresh fruit and veggies, and cutting down on sugar and fat will help you and your family lead healthier and more active lives.
Drink more water: Water is important for cleansing and repairing your body. Try adding some fruit to it to make it more palatable to your kids. Also, when you drink juice, make sure you are drinking real juice without any added sugar.
Lead by example: If you are trying to get your children to eat healthy, you can start by eating better yourself. Eat a smaller portion in lieu of super sizing it anf be active yourself instead of just sitting down and watching your kids play.
TIPS
ON HOW TO GET YOUR CHILDREN TO EXERCISE MORE
Kids today are getting chubbier
and many are in danger of turning into obese teenagers with a whole
host of different health problems. While part of our kid’s
growing waist lines can be blamed on the fast industry and the presence
of overly fatty, salty and sugary foods within the home, we
also need to look at our children’s sedentary lifestyle and
unwillingness to go outside and get some exercise. Kids today are more
likely to plop down in front of the super big screen HDTV and play
video games than put on their shoes and go outside to play. This
unhealthy couch potato lifestyle is just as bad as transfat in making
children bigger than they ought to be.Here are some tips on how to make sure your kids are getting enough exercise and burning off those pizza rolls that they are endlessly scarfing down.
Encourage them to invite their friends over for some good old fashioned fun instead of allowing them to sit in front of their computer and chat with their online on a social networking site, where only their fingers get the benefit of exercise.
While the Wii console encourages some movement and action, nothing compares to the real thing. Instead letting your child stay cooped up in their room playing sports video games, why not encourage them to try out for an actual sport where they can not only get some much needed exercise but also learn the value of teamwork.
Limit the amount time they get spend watching TV and movies. Kids who spent too much time in front of the old boob tube end up sitting around and eating more as they get zombified by commercial entertainment.
Teach them how to ride a bike. Bicycles are great exercise, and offer older kid the freedom and independence that they are craving. Encourage them to take their bikes to school or work and watch as their confidence builds.
Lead by example. If your children see you doing your best to incorporate exercise into your daily routine, they might soon follow suit. Instead of waiting for that open spot in front of the store, why not park a little further away and walk a bit. Also, go for walks around the neighborhood and do some exploring with your kids.
The family dog is a built exercise regime. Encourage your kids to take the dog for longer walks. It is something everyone can benefit from.
If you live within a mile of your school, why not encourage your kids to walk to school instead of driving them? A nice brisk walk in the morning can be a great start to the day.
If you have a local gym or YMCA, why not enroll your children in exercise classes. From swimming to martial arts, there is always something that will be of interest to them.
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