Overcoming Obesity in Children
May 6th, 2010
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.
Behavioral factors such as artificial feeding (bottle feeding), urban sprawl, dietary fat intake, sweetened drink intake, family eating patterns, growing portion sizes, levels of physical inactivity, computer use, video and television viewing have been identified as major contributing factors for childhood obesity.
Obesity in children is an epidemic that can lead to problems later on in life such as diabetes, heart disease and renal failure. Overweight children who have insulin resistance have an increased incidence of developing type 2 diabetes. In addition, psychological disorders such as depression occur with increased frequency in obese children.
Kids and teens that are over weight usually do not have the right knowledge on to how to carry on the best lifestyle possible. Talk to your kids directly, openly and without being critical or judgmental. Here are some suggestions on how to help your child get healthy and lean:
Lots of Physical Activity
Children with lack of parental limitations on television watching and their parents own television viewing habits, were five to ten times more likely to be overweight. Parents who rely heavily on television viewing as a recreational activity should spend more time doing recreational activities at home or at the park. Because kids by nature are physically active, they find ways to get great exercise even on their own. However, parents should take the time to allow children to spend 8 hours a day running around outside.
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.
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.
Children should be allowed to select what they want to eat among healthy food choices; they should be allowed to stop eating when they feel full. An underweight, overweight, or normal weight child should be allowed to decide how much to eat or whether to eat at all, within reason. Children and adolescents who frequent fast foods consume more calories, unhealthy fats, sugars and carbohydrates. Many studies have established the dangers of fast food items to childrens health. Cut back or stop going to fast food places
A child should not go on an extremely restricted diet, nor prevented from eating when he is hungry. Children need nutrients and calories to help them develop and grow. If you find that you cannot help your child lose weight with a nutritious eating plan and physical activity, consult a physician or dietician.
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 the key in shaping our children for a healthy adulthood. The environment, genetics and behavior all play a part in children getting obese. The most important thing is to focus on changing those things that we can control such as behavior, habits, positive attitudes and effective communication. Help your child to eat well and be active. This is a gift that lasts a lifetime – a long lifetime.
Rochester Health and Fitness Center, Certified Personal Trainers of Rochester and Rochester Group Exercise Programs provide members quality service in fitness.
Originally posted 2009-12-13 22:06:42. Republished by Old Post Promoter
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