Childhood Obesity Facts

Child Obesity Facts

There is a big sticking point when it comes to changing childhood obesity facts. The sticking point is, is that to change the behaviours that are making our children fat, we parents are going to have sacrifice something, we'll have to sacrifice ease and convenience. It's sad but true that we have become so attached to the benefits we get from the major contributors to childhood obesity, that we are willing to risk our children's health to keep them. Let's be honest, fast food outlets and processed foods are a god send to busy families. The high levels of fat, sugar and salt make them appealing to just about everyone's tastebuds, and yes, these ingredients also make them high in calories, but they're convenient and fast.



To stop childhood obesity we need to look at how much of these foods our youngsters are consuming, and make different choices, but to do that means we have to put up with having our children complaining about the food and we have to find time to learn how to prepare and make better meals. We'd rather have quick and easy... which makes this the first stumbling block, in addressing childhood obesity.

Childhood obesity in America and worldwide is a major health problem. The childhood obesity facts has the potential to effect many physical and psychological problems in children. Increases in weight gain as a child grows is normal as long as they are within the limits of their body mass index. When the increase in body weight is more than what is considered healthy body weight then children can be considered obese. Some of the childhood obesity facts are type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol



There are numerous causes for childhood obesity. The main cause is eating more calories than the body burns through physical activity. Child obesity is often a result of nutritional, psychological, physiological, and family factors. It is commonly known that many obese children have obese parents. This may be due to genetic reasons but most times it is a result of the parenting lifestyles.



The medical definition of obesity is very complex but here I am talking about studies that have shown significant numbers of young people to be 40%, 50% and even as much as 100% heavier than what they should be. This extra weight puts such stress on all parts of the body; joints, skeleton, heart, lungs, everything is effected. Study after study concludes obesity is often the key underlying factor to a host of health problems adults face-heart, diabetes, infection, headaches, inflammation-and of course psychological challenges too!



The childhood obesity statistics are staggering. It is reported the about 1/3 of children and adolescents are obese or overweight, and almost 20% of children ages 6 to 11 and 18% of those ages 12 to 19 are obese. These statistics were presented in a January article published by USA Today who also quoted Donna Ryan, president of the Obesity Society, which conducts research on issues related to obesity. She said "If you can get kids into healthier eating habits when they are younger, their weight may self-correct." But once they become obese adults, it's difficult to reverse."



This is good advice but how we break the "fast food obesity" chain and convince our kids to eat healthier?



In our home, we found healthy smoothies to be the answer. Pretty early on we taught our kids to how to run a blender (make sure the top is on!) and encouraged them to make their own fruit smoothie recipes and it was fun to see their "inventions." We made it a point to always have lots of fresh and frozen fruit on hand and would let our kids make whatever they liked. Some of their juicing recipes were a bit off, but we all tried it! We did do the occasional fast food run, but it was a special treat and not the basis of our family's diet.



The health risks of obesity:

Children who continuously consume high calorie foods such as those found at fast food restaurants, vending machines, and doughnut shops are at high risk of becoming obese. In order to maintain weight they need to burn those calories through physical exercise. If they don't they will gain weight. Psychologically, the childhood obesity facts with children who have difficulties dealing with stress and emotions can lead to obesity. Many children who have emotional issues will turn to food as an escape. Often that food is high in sugar which momentarily gives them a euphoric feeling easing the stress and leaving them with a feeling of relief.

There are numerous health risks associated childhood obesity both physically and psychologically. The physical risks include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, type II diabetes, liver disease, sleep disorders , and several different respiratory problems. In addition obese children are at risk of stroke, heart attack, and some cancers. Psychologically they feel lonely and depressed. Obese children get picked on, taunted, and they have fewer friends which effects their self esteem and body image.



Solutions:

According to the childhood obesity facts the best solution is to encourage and implement a healthy diet. This means making changes in overall lifestyles from eating habits to physical activity. Depending on the age of your child use caution when deciding on a formal weight loss diet program. Keep in mind that they may be still going through a natural growth process. A healthy diet should include fresh whole foods such as vegetables and fruit. Eliminate the fried foods and go for grilled or baked foods instead. Avoid foods that are processed and foods with high salt or sugar content.



We're unwilling to make changes, hard or not, even when we know it's the right thing to do. We seem only willing to do things if we get something out of it, or at the very least don't lose anything. Sadly, this means that although one would think that having healthy, long living children would be an achievement in itself, we only see the hard work, and we've become attached to convenient and easy. Wouldn't you like to be part of the revolution to reverse the childhood obesity facts?