Childhood Obesity
In today’s sedentary society, childhood obesity has expanded to epidemic proportions, affecting a large number of our nation’s children. In a nutshell, the problem is that children typically exercise too little and eat too much. Indeed studies by the Mayo Clinic show that the main risk factors in childhood obesity are eating too much and exercising too little.
A 2002 Report of the Surgeon General found that nearly half of American youth and adolescents ages 12 to 21 are not vigorously active on a regular basis. And a 2003 study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that 22% of children ages 6 to 17 are overweight and 16% of them are considered obese. Childhood obesity is based on BMI-for-age and is assessed in relation to the weight of other children of a similar age and gender.
These facts are cause for concern since, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, obesity and overweight substantially increase the risk of morbidity from hypertension; dyslipidemia; type 2 diabetes; coronary heart disease; stroke; gallbladder disease; osteoarthritis; sleep apnea and respiratory problems; and endometrial, breast, prostate, and colon cancers. Higher body weights are also associated with increases in all-cause mortality. Ultimately, our children’s quality and length of life are adversely affected by childhood obesity.
According to the Mayo Clinic, contributing risk factors for childhood obesity include:
1. Diet
2. Inactivity
3. Genetics
4. Psychological factors
5. Family/social factors
Poor diet is one of the main and controllable risk factors for childhood obesity. Diets that are high in high-calorie and unhealthy foods, such as fast foods, baked goods, and vending machine snacks, are a main contributor. Other high-calorie foods and beverage include candy, desserts, and soft drinks.
The fast pace of our society compounds the problem even more. For instance, many children now eat fast food dinners on the go, instead of healthy home-cooked meals. Because many families are so busy rushing from one activity to the next, they often don’t take the time to go home, prepare, and enjoy the home-cooked meals of prior generations of Americans. The same time-crunch can contribute to children eating vending machine or other unhealthy snacks. If parents do not have, or make, the time to pack wholesome snacks for their children, their children are much more likely to eat candy and other vending machine items during the day.
Inactivity or lack of sufficient activity is another main and controllable risk factor for childhood obesity. Our national habit of driving rather than walking to the majority of our destinations is a huge contributor. Our children’s choice of recreational activities can add to the problem. Many children watch television, play video games, and “surf the web” in their free-time. This is a big switch compared to neighborhood kickball, baseball, or other unstructured play or active games in which many American children engaged in previous generations.
What can you as a parent do about it? You can help your children to choose more active recreational activities and more healthy eating habits. Children can’t do it alone. They need the help, guidance, and support of their parents and caregivers.
Some specific changes you can make to support your children in avoiding childhood obesity include setting a limit on the number of hours of sedentary activity. In other words, your family can set a rule that limits TV-watching to a certain number of hours a day or week. You can set similar limits on internet or computer time, as well as time spent playing video games.
Other changes you can make to support your children in creating a healthier lifestyle that will help avert childhood obesity include changes to their diet and eating habits. For instance, you can pack healthier lunches that include fresh fruits and vegetables rather than pre-packaged snack foods. Having home-cooked family dinners several nights each week will also have a huge impact on your children’s health.
The high-calorie fast foods and high-calorie soft drinks that children ingest when they eat out instead of eating at home are main ingredients in a poor diet. Cooking meals for your children gives you more control over what they eating. You know what went into the meal you prepared . . . but do you know what went into the Happy Meal they might otherwise eat?
Other things you can do to help your children avoid the onset of childhood obesity include spending quality time with them. Since psychological factors are another significant risk factor for childhood obesity, be on the alert for signs of stress or other emotional disturbances in your children. Talking through emotional problems or stressful situations with your children helps them cope with these issues before they become chronic problems that drastically affect their health. And their health and well-being is worth the time invested!
