One of the leading problems effecting todays youth is that of childhood obesity. One of the most important parenting tips that could ultimately save a childs life is to deal with the problem early and yet with great sensitivity. The truth is that dealing with this delicate parenting issue early may help to save a child from dealing with obesity and other related illnesses in later life.
Over the years, the presence of obesity in children has dramatically increased. Many experts attribute the surge to over exposure to video games, television and computers. Others suspect that the increasing problem stems from poor eating habits and still others believe it may be a little bit of both.
Among other problems, obese children are at higher risk for developing diabetes and heart related illnesses. Health professionals are commonly worried that children who battle with weight early in life may face obesity later in adulthood, which could have a very negative impact on their health.
A child who is overweight or has recently been diagnosed with obesity, should not be singled out from the family as being the only one needing to make a change in their lifestyle. This is one of the most important parenting techniques to use when dealing with childhood obesity and is also one that will greatly impact a childs self-esteem. If parenting isnt done properly in this situation, the child may forever feel inferior or begin to identify themselves by how much they weigh, which is an unhealthy possibility. It is important that the entire family join together and participate in healthier meals, less television time and increased levels of activity, including walking.
Among the best parenting remedies used to combat obesity is preparing more fruits, vegetables and less foods that are high in fat. Positive parenting techniques will involve having healthy snacks available for your family and encouraging them over junk foods. Additionally, set a schedule for the family to take a brisk walk or spend some time doing some type of physical activity, including a game of basketball, softball, volleyball, etc. Anything that will get your child up and moving instead of spending all of his/her time in front of the television or video game will be to their benefit and will lend to the positive impact of good parenting. And finally, be vocal during your childs medical visits. This includes asking the doctor questions about any concerns that you may have, as well as taking his/her advice when it comes to the health of your child.
As long as the balance between the amount of food we take in for conversion into energy and the energy we expend going about our normal day to day business remains in balance our weight remains steady. However, if we take in more food than we need to convert into energy then the body simply stores the excess fuel for a rainy day in the form of fat.
So, let us take a look at the United States, which has one of the world's highest obesity rates, and examine both sides of energy equation.
Data collected over the past twenty years shows that, on average, the energy intake of most Americans has increased by about 200 Kcal/day and that much of this has come from an increased consumption of sweetened beverages, which today account for a staggering twenty-five percent of the daily calorie intake for young adults. In addition, consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables has fallen to levels which are below those recommended and consumption of fast food prepared meals and low cost energy-dense foods has increased. A final factor of note here is that regular meal times have also largely disappeared and that people are increasingly eating throughout the day.
On the other side of the equation surveys also show that energy expenditure has dropped markedly in recent years with the Centers for Disease Control reporting that less than thirty percent of the population today lead lives which provide them with an adequate level of physical activity. For the remainder, about another thirty percent are not too far below a satisfactory level of activity but some forty percent are leading what amounts to sedentary lifestyles. Most worrying of all however is the fact that children are leading lives at well below the necessary level of activity for healthy growth and development.
In one particular study involving girls between the ages of nine and eighteen a very significant drop in the levels of physical activity was recorded over previous studies and you do not have to look very far to see why. The level of physical activity in schools in well down, due in part to budgetary constraints and increasing pressure for higher academic performance, while outside of school physical activity is often limited by a variety of factors including the need for safety. For example, the number of children who now walk or cycle to school has fallen dramatically in recent years and, rather than playing outside, the average child now watches well over thirty hours of television each week.
Against this background it is hardly surprising that the energy equation no longer balances and that the increased energy intake on one side and the dramatically reduced energy expenditure on the other side, especially in children and young adults, accounts in no small measure for the obesity epidemic that continues to sweep across the United States.
The answer to the problem of course is very simple, but getting people to take the action necessary to put the equation back into balance is going to be a long and hard battle which is going to see many more casualties before it is won.
Both Michele Oberton & Donald Saunders are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Michele Oberton has sinced written about articles on various topics from Alcohol Treatment, Family and Finances. Want to learn more about ? Make sure you visit our site at: http://www.onlinetradingguide.info for access to additional online trading tips and informat. Michele Oberton's top article generates over 8100 views. to your Favourites.
Donald Saunders has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health Insurance, Forex Training and Diabetes Treatment. GastricBypassFacts.info provides a growing number of articles including several and also provides addit. Donald Saunders's top article generates over 165000 views. to your Favourites.