Today, 64.5 percent of adult Americans (about 127 million) are categorized as being overweight or obese. Each year, obesity causes at least 300,000 excess deaths in the U.S., and healthcare costs of American adults with obesity amount to approximately $100 billion. Apart from the obvious physical symptoms of being very large in size and unable to partake in normal activities such as sport, obesity increases one's risk of developing conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes (type 2), heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease and cancer of the breast, prostate and colon.
Child obesity is also becoming is large problem facing America. The amount of overweight children has risen significantly in the past ten years, and is expected to grow at an even greater rate in the future.
Not only does our society frown upon obesity on those who have it, but more importantly, it serves as a major health risk to those who have it. Thus, we should be concerned about teaching our children to eat well and stay active. Child obesity is not only a problem because they may get teased at school, it's a problem that could carry into adulthood where several health risks will coincide.
Not only are children eating more junk food than they ever have before, but they are considerably less active as well. Children have always loved watching TV and playing video games, but it seems to have gotten out of control. With the introduction of a variety of games consoles and now the internet, children spend more time staring at electronic screens than playing outside. It is this sedentary lifestyle that is hurting our young. So, it is important to encourage your child to get involved in out door activities. Organized sports are great for this. Riding bikes, hiking, or building tree houses and forts are typical things that children love and should be encouraged to consider instead of playing video games.
