Childhood Obesity Weight Loss Nutrition Tips Guide

Childhood Obesity In A Sedentary Society

By Myfawny Craighter

The childhood obesity rate has increased from approximately 5% in 1976 to over 17% in 2006. Some of the most rapid increases have come in Mexican-American boys, as well as black adolescent girls aged 12 to 19. Sociologists are trying to determine what the biggest causes of this obesity epidemic are, but the results are mixed.

Since the seventies, our food has become more processed and convenient, but also more laden in fat and calories. Portion sizes have gotten larger at restaurants, fast food has gotten cheaper and the toll of divorce weighs heavily on youngsters. Yet, no single factor is said to cause overweight children, but rather a combination of genetic, behavioral and environmental factors.

A More Sedentary Society

Some say the alarming childhood obesity rate has been caused by a shift in our culture from an active society to a more sedentary society. Compared to the children of the seventies, today’s children are more sedentary, spending three hours per day watching TV, movies or playing video games, which has decreased the amount of time children and teens spend actively outdoors.

Television also encourages increased food consumption and tempts children to make unhealthy food choices through exposure to advertisements. Since 1991, the percentage of students’ participation in daily physical education during school has decreased from 42% to 28%.

A Healthy Diet And Daily Physical Activity

The importance of a healthy diet for children cannot be overstated, nor can the need for daily physical activity, since studies show the patterns a child develops early in life tend to remain with him or her for life.

If left untreated, childhood obesity can lead to a number of problems, both physical and psychosocial. Physically, 70% of obese 5 to 17-year-olds have at least one cardiovascular disease risk factor already, whether it is high blood pressure, high cholesterol or abnormal glucose tolerance, and 25% have at least two risk factors.

60% Of Diabetics Are Overweight

Obesity is also the leading cause of type 2 diabetes, as 60% of diabetics are also overweight. More immediate health problems include sleep apnea, hepatic steatosis (fatty degeneration of the liver), kidney failure and asthma. Psychologically, obese adolescents become the targets of social stigmatization, which can leave lasting emotional scars that may never fully heal.

In homes where both parents are working constantly, when dinner isn’t eaten at the table as a family or there is a single-parent household, children may internalize their emotions and feel as though food will make them feel better.

Helping Your Child Through Difficult Life Stages

If you suspect your child is binging to deal with emotional issues or depression, then you might want to schedule an appointment with a diet and weight loss counselor or a psychologist who can help the child through difficult life stages. Other times, battling childhood obesity requires broad changes in the household. Perhaps you cook using too much fattening butter or olive oil.

Maybe you had become dependent on frozen foods like raviolis, pot pies and TV dinners. In households where carbonated beverages and sugary snacks are always served, it can be hard to review your options and maintain control. If you’d like to serve more fruits and vegetables at the dinner table, you can visit www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov for recipes.

This Article was about Childhood Obesity.

Please Note: All information given on this site is for general information purposes and is not to replace any medical opinion or medical diagnosis given by a qualified medical doctor, a dietitian/nutritional expert or any other medical expert, as individual circumstances may vary. Please see your medical doctor, before any action is taken to alleviate symptoms.

About the Author:
Myfawny Craighter is an author of articles on dieting, weight loss, eating disorders and nutrition including Diet Information, Weight Loss Success, Body Fat, Fat Scales, Special Diets, Herbal Weight Loss, Eating Disorders, Binge Eating.
Keep a lookout for more of her articles coming soon.

Did You Know?

Right now the number one preventable death is cancer caused by smoking. The second most preventable death is complications related to obesity. Being fat is not just a punch line of a joke anymore. People spend millions each year on gym memberships and fad diets in the hopes of losing that excess weight.

The sad fact is that most will fail at their dieting attempts. Some will turn to surgery and others will struggle to survive. If you are overweight and having health issues related to your weight, you need help.