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Childhood Obesity One Of The Concerns For Our Future Generations
by Jim Bruce
Childhood obesity has become an epidemic problem in the United States by some standards. It is on the increase as a concern to many health professionals and parents. There are many factors that can be tied to the rise in childhood obesity. The good news is that most of these factors can be altered through diet, behavior, and lifestyle changes. The bottom line is that parents, educators and health professionals need to work together to face this problem. Obesity is affecting our youth today and needs to be met head-on, to ensure that we raise future generations of happy and healthy individuals.
Childhood Obesity: The Causes
Obesity is generally defined as taking in more calories than one expends over a long period of time. Obesity is also defined as someone who is in the 95th percentile on the body mass index (BMI). This is the definition is used for both adults and children. The percentage of children who meet these criteria has been as high as one in every five kids in recent years. A child with obesity raises their chances of contracting more serious conditions, these include high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. When you consider the major health implications of childhood obesity, it is easy to see why the medical community is so concerned over the rise in these numbers.
There are many causes that can be attributed to childhood obesity. Unhealthy diet and inadequate amounts of physical activity are often the root causes. Between too much television, computer and video games that kids have to choose from these days, our children are not getting enough physical exercise. It is no wonder that fewer children are finding the time to play outdoors or even finding time for fat burning activities indoors.
The birth and exponential growth of fast food restaurants and junk food in the stores and vending machines has contributed to the enormous lack of a healthy diet amongst children in this country. When you consider the changing environment that our children are growing up in today, it is no wonder that we are seeing more weight issues. This also means that the health problems associated with them are on the increase too.
As Parents, What Can Be Done?
The bright side of this picture is that there is much that we can do as parents to stop and even reverse this tendency toward childhood obesity. First, education is very important to help parents become wise to healthy habits, such as a good diet and physical exercise. These are the things that need to be instilled in our kids to change the current trend.
Limiting the amount of time that is spent in front of the television and computer is a good place to start. Encouraging outdoor play and participation in sports is another method to help kids keep their activity level up and their weight down. It is also essential that parents pay attention to what their kids are eating and snacking on. Discourage junk food consumption and encourage regular snacks of healthy foods like fresh fruits and vegetables.
With proper guidance and education, childhood obesity can become the exception rather than the rule. Parents need to work with educators at our children's schools and communicate the need to discourage unhealthy habits. Together, childhood obesity can be fought and controlled.
| Disclaimer: |
The information in this Child Obesity section has been taken from a number of sources. It is meant to give you information about certain medicines, but it does not cover all of the possible uses, warnings, side effects, or interactions with other medicines and vitamin or herbal supplements.
This information should not be used as medical advice for individual medical problems. Please talk to your doctor, health professional, and/or your pharmacist for prescription or treatment instructions. |
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