Childhood Obesity Articles

Obesity or corpulency (whatever may be the term) is getting common among the children also, apart from the adults. It can be said, as a result, that childhood obesity is becoming a problem for parents more and more. Let's have a glimpse of shocking facts before we do proceed any further. According to latest studies, there are approximately 9 million children over the age of six in United States that are classified as obese and this is thrice the rate in the decade of 80's. What is the place of this disease among teenagers then? Well, 14% of teenagers in the United States of America are recorded as obese. It should be noted that the problem of childhood obesity is rising in both developed and developing countries.

In addition, as stated by statistics, the rate of obesity in children ages 2-5 and in adolescents ages 12-19 has doubled. On the other hand, the rate of obesity in children ages 6-11 has tripled. You are, therefore, indeed, lucky if your child is not included in these lists. Learn this from now also that one-third of children today is prone to become overweight and sixteen percent of them are already obese.

What leads to the growth of obesity among children? This question is too common and the answer is dearth of exercise along with unhealthy eating habits and even genetics. Is this all? Perhaps not since obesity in childhood is becoming a more serious problem than ever before and there is a pressing need to solve this crisis without delay. What should be done at the moment? Let's discern the reasons one by one. But before that keep in mind that obesity can result in the generation of a number of physical and psychological problems in children. There may be the emergence of several diseases in children like high BP, diabetes and higher cholesterol levels.

Now, let's find out the reasons. The first of them happens to be family. Nowadays, in several families both parents are found to be obese and hence the children have tendency to gain weight. The basic reason is the prevalence of powerful genetic factors or parents' life style. Another important factor is low energy expenditure. As per studies, children who prefer to watch television for several hours do suffer from obesity. What's more, while watching television they go on eating high-calorie snacks and the sum of all these lead to the growth of more flesh. Junk foods are exceedingly damaging and can lead to obesity and hence, make them cautious of probable dangers emanating from rampant consumption of desserts, candy and soft drinks.

Is heredity a leading factor of obesity in childhood also? There is a raging debate on this among experts. However, the view of majority of them point towards this. Can diseases be effective reasons as well? As indicated by researchers, a few medical conditions and hormonal disorders can also be responsible factors for obesity in childhood.

Nevertheless, obesity also brings about an assortment of diseases. These include coronary artery diseases (hardened and blocked arteries), high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep disorders, Type II diabetes, liver disease, skin infections and asthma.

You are the parent and so you will have to take the necessary steps. Make them start a weight-loss diet, if they are obese. Remember that obesity can affect their growth. They must also do exercises through playing outdoor game like tennis or soccer.

• Janny Raines
• 15/06/2009, 12:59 PM
• 0 Comments