Childhood Obesity a Growing Problem
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Mrs. Obama has chosen childhood obesity as the focus of her first major project as the First Lady along with continuing her work to expand programs for military families. Healthy eating and healthy families is an extension of Mrs. Obama’s efforts to show Americans how grow fruits and vegetables and use them in a nutritious diet. Mrs. Obama began this effort with her much publicized White House garden.
Program to Educate Parents and Children
In early 2010, Mrs. Obama will announce a comprehensive initiative which will involve many departments and agencies in the federal government to help educate children and parents about ending this epidemic and encourage a change in behavior and habits. The Mayo Clinic advises that one of the best strategies is to improve the nutrition and exercise status of the entire family.
Obesity in general, has become an epidemic in the western world. Among children, obesity is a growing issue and a huge medical concern. This is a serious problem which affects children and adolescents and puts them at risk for diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and eating disorders. These diseases can cause severe disabilities and lead to early mortality.
Type 2 Diabetes on the Rise
Type 2 diabetes is on the rise in children and adolescents and has a direct correlation to childhood obesity, especially in children who have other risk factors such as genetic predisposition to diabetes.
The focus of programs to combat childhood obesity will involve educating parents and children about problems such as eating too many calories and exercising too little. If children consume enough calories to support their activity level, their metabolism and the amount needed for normal growth they will add weight in proportion to their size as they grow. The calories they consume need to contain the nutrients necessary to build strong bones and healthy bodies.
It’s Not a Glandular Problem
Childhood obesity is usually due to over eating and lack of exercise and not because of hormonal and genetic disorders. Risk factors for obesity need to be examined such as diet habits, inactivity, psychological factors, socioeconomic factors, as well as genetics and familial issues.
Children whose parents and grandparents are obese may be genetically predispositioned to gain weight. This factor is enhanced if the family habits include eating high fat, high calorie foods and exercise is not part of the normal routine. Educating parents and children about making healthy food choices is an essential part of controlling childhood obesity. Children don’t do the grocery shopping.
Poor Eating Habits
Consuming soft drinks, candy, fast foods, baked goods, desserts, vending machine snacks on a regular basis pack on the calories. Economic stressors of poverty, lack of resources and time constraints can contribute to poor eating and exercise habits. Eating because of emotional problems or boredom are habits children often pick up from their parents or other family members. Spending most of their free time watching TV or playing video games contributes to a sedentary lifestyle that leads to obesity in children and adolescents as well as adults.
Ask the Doctor
Children should be weighed and measured at least annually by a pediatrician or other health care practitioner to determine if their weight is in a healthy range. Preventing obesity in children and adolescents can help to prevent many of the conditions and diseases associated with being overweight. Being proactive also helps to reduce the high costs of health care by preventing diseases and complications.
By Kathy Quan
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