You see it on the playgrounds, at roller rinks, at swimming pools, and in classrooms. Obesity is a modern health dilemma for today’s children, who are struggling with weight as never before.
It
is a difficult problem to combat, given the fact that you want to
make sure that your children are receiving sufficient amounts of
nutrients in their diets. While some children may outgrow obesity,
others carry it with them into their adult lives. Obesity in
children can result in feelings of fatigue, worthlessness, and
hopelessness. It can also place them at greater risk for diabetes
and heart disease.
Just how widespread is
the problem? The National Institutes of Health has determined that,
over the last thirty years, the number of young people with weight
problems has increased two fold. Interestingly enough, the problem
is affecting children of all ages as well as children from all ethnic
groups.
Children who are
overweight may not develop socially as fast as their peers. They can
become loners, finding it difficult to make friends. They may think
that their weight is beyond their control and they may not know what
to do in order to attempt to prevent weight gain. In essence, obese
children can become our lost generation.
The parents of these
children may not realize how detrimental obesity is to their
children’s emotional health. They may consider the obesity just a
passing phase and they may not understand the psychological
devastation that obesity can cause. They may even dismiss the
concerns of their children, hoping that the problem will simply go
away.
The causes of
childhood obesity can be complex. However, there do appear to be a
few identifiable triggers. For instance, many families now eat on
the run because of their many commitments. Parents may not think
they have time to prepare nutritious meals for their children, so
they rely on fast food and sugary snacks to fill in the gaps. As a
result, children end up eating a diet that’s rich in fat and sugar
but which offers little in the way of nutritional value. According
to the American Obesity Association, one third of parents believe
their children’s dietary habits are worse than theirs were during
their own childhoods.
Another key
problem is inactivity. Children watch more than a full day’s worth
of television each week. That’s in addition to the hours they
devote to their computers. As a result, they’re not playing
outside as much as children of generations past. Also, many children
may feel as if they cannot participate in sports because of their
weight. Feeling defeated before they even start, they pass up
opportunities to engage in physical activities.
It has been shown
that children tend to be heavily influenced by advertising.
Unfortunately, many commercials tout foods that can be best
classified as unhealthy. Children crave what they see on TV and in
movie theaters and they may not realize what these foods will do to
their bodies.
Luckily, childhood
obesity can be successfully conquered. Here are a few tips to help
your child overcome a weight problem:
- Encourage your child to take part in sports or dance. If your son or daughter is self-conscious about being a part of a team, exercise with him or her. Take out a ball and shoot a few hoops or turn on the stereo and begin to dance. You may be surprised that, with just a little encouragement, your child will get up and start moving.
- Consider limiting TV time. Research clearly shows that TV time is unproductive time for children and teens. If your children spend less time watching TV, they may spend more time exercising.
- Ban junk food from your home. With a little push, children will become accustomed to eating healthy snacks such as fruit and vegetables.
- Check with your child’s pediatrician to see if he or she can recommend some specific weight control strategies.
Childhood
obesity is a problem, but it is not insurmountable. The greater the
interest you show in your child’s diet and exercise regimen, the
more influence you will have over your child. In time, your child
can learn the strategies necessary for a healthy life.
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