The childhood obesity epidemic can present big problems not just for the young ones but for their parents as well. Obesity is among the top causes of deadly diseases like diabetes and hypertension. This condition can also trigger coronary heart ailments and premature arthritis or joint pains. More than all this, obese children may also suffer from low self-esteem and other psycho-social disorders. Needless to say, lack of self confidence can always lead to slower performance in school, sports and even later on in life.
Childhood obesity epidemic is a reality in the United States and many other parts of the globe. As a matter of fact, more than twenty percent of American children are considered to be obese and this figure is steadily on the rise. Obesity is basically defined as a condition where the body accumulates excessive amounts of fat. To know if your child is indeed obese, you can consult with your doctor or a dietician.
Childhood obesity epidemic can be blamed partly on the popularity of fast food establishments. The up-size mentality has taken its toll on children who naturally will go for grubs that are bigger and excessive. But while the nutritional needs of children are increasingly being neglected by busy parents, the rapid advancement in entertainment gadgets also play a big role in preventing the kids from doing exercise or any amount of simple physical activity for that matter. This can all translate to the fact that many children today eat more calories than they can spend. So putting two and two together, you can easily figure out that the environment which the children of today grow up in is a big factor in bringing about obesity.
Childhood obesity epidemic can be blamed partly on the popularity of fast food establishments. The up-size mentality has taken its toll on children who naturally will go for grubs that are bigger and excessive. But while the nutritional needs of children are increasingly being neglected by busy parents, the rapid advancement in entertainment gadgets also play a big role in preventing the kids from doing exercise or any amount of simple physical activity for that matter. This can all translate to the fact that many children today eat more calories than they can spend. So putting two and two together, you can easily figure out that the environment which the children of today grow up in is a big factor in bringing about obesity.
The good news is that childhood obesity epidemic is not something that's irreversible. Today, there are many treatment programs that specifically address the needs of obese children. Government and private health organizations are also helping in minimizing, if not eliminating obesity risk factors. However, treatment of obesity may take a long time. Experts believe that a child will require an average of at least eighteen months of treatment for every twenty percent excess body fat. In other words, getting back to one's ideal weight will be a hard and slow process. Nevertheless, there is hope. If you do not want your child to become a part of the obesity statistics, you can deal with excess weight as early as now. For more information please visit: http://www.weightlossxpress.net/
Childhood Obesity Risk Factors
Obesity is on the rise worldwide. Approximately 1.2 billion people are overweight and of these 300 million are considered obese. In the United States alone, more than half of all adults are overweight and about 20% of these people are obese. Of children 6 years and older, 15% of them are obese. This number has tripled since the 1970s. In the United States, at least 300,000 people die each year from complications attributed to obesity. Women are at a higher risk for obesity than men and blacks and Hispanics also fall into a higher risk group than other ethnic groups, in the United States.
Obesity has negative affects on both your body and your mind. It puts extra stress on your whole body and wears down your joints. It is hard to keep up with friends, you may not fit in chairs and it is difficult to participate in activities. Obesity is the cause of breathing problems, such as; sleep apnea and asthma. Prolonged obesity may lead to knee and hip replacement surgery.
Mentally, being overweight will drain your confidence and self-esteem. There has been a great deal of research done on how overweight people are treated by society. No matter how great your personality is, society does not treat an obese person the same as they treat a person of normal weight. This treatment can be very damaging to children and adolescents. Overweight people are one of the most discriminated against groups of people in society today.
Obesity can have some very negative affects on your health. Adolescents are starting to experience health problems that used to be seen only in adults, such as; type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver disease and bladder disorders. Women may also experience problems with their reproductive system. Obese people are at higher risk for colon and breast cancer, stroke, heart disease and death.
People who are overweight are at a greater risk for depression. These feeling of inadequacy can cause a person to eat to relieve the emotional pain. This overeating can lead to a feeling of sadness that can lead to more eating. This endless cycle can be very difficult to break, not to mention the affect that it can have on your children and how they view the use of food. Obesity is an epidemic in this country and is considered one of the top reasons for preventable death in the United States.
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