Overweight children in the United States are on the rise at an alarming rate. If this problem is overlooked, it may have severe impact on future generation. Today’s busy families have fewer free moments to prepare nutritious eatables for kids. Children prefer to have fast food due to new fashion trend and easy to prepare.
Statistical data indicate that since the 1970s, the percentage of overweight kids and adolescents in the United States has more than doubled. It is very important to prevent a child from becoming overweight by adapting good eating habits and regular exercise. If child is overweight, it is prime responsibility of family adult to visit doctor. Doctor may ask about child’s eating and activity habits and make suggestions on how to make positive changes. He or she may also decide to screen for some of the medical conditions that can be associated with obesity. Doctors generally uses BMI for height and weight measurements to estimate body fat a person has. But BMI provides a rough scale. For a number of overweight children, your doctor may recommend a comprehensive weight management program.
The consequence of overweight is very dangerous. It may lead to serious health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol - all once considered exclusively adult diseases. Overweight children may also be prone to low sense of worth that stems from being teased, bullied, or rejected by peers. Overweight children are often the last to be chosen as playmates. Children who are concerned with their weight may be more likely than average-weight children to develop unhealthy dieting habits and eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, and they may be more prone to depression, as well as substance abuse.
There are number of causes of being overweight. The main factors may be Genetic factors, or lifestyle habits. In some cases, endocrine problems, genetic syndromes, and medications can be coupled with excessive weight gain. Sedentary life style of family may lead to put on fat. Children spend more time playing with electronic devices, from computers to handheld video game systems, than actively playing outdoor games. Television is a major culprit. Research indicates that children eat junk foods high in fats, sugars, and carbohydrates while playing video and computer-based games. Combined with a lack of physical activity, this is a contributing factor to the surge in obese children (Kogan, 2001). It has also been noticed by researcher that American children are more overweight, slower, and weaker than their counterparts in other developed nations (Dorman, 1997).
It is better to avoid that activity which may accelerate over weight. As a parent, encourage child to eat well and exercise regularly and incorporate healthy habits into family's daily life, you're modelling a healthy lifestyle for your children that could last into adulthood. Parents must always interact with child about the importance of eating well and being active, but one should make it a family affair that will become second nature for both them and their children. Most of all let our children know we love them - no matter what their weight - and that we want to help child be happy and healthy.
