WHO: Our kids.
WHAT: They're fat.
WHY: The vast majority of adults are overweight and obese. Who would the kids learn weight management from?
The Centers for Disease Control has stated that pediatric obesity has reached epidemic proportions in a mere thirty years. In 1980, five percent of kids were obese. In 2010, slightly less than twenty percent are obese.
Whatever is going on? There are certain medical conditions and medications that may contribute to weight gain. However, these are rare instances. Our kids, like adults, are overweight because they are eating too much and exercising too little.
Childhood obesity is diagnosed by a physician or other health care provider by using tools such as the BMI (body mass index). This is a test to determine body fat in proportion to height, gender, and age. The health care provider may also measure skin-fold-thickness, waist-to-hip ratio, and water weight.
Childhood obesity must be taken seriously. We've been lulled into complacency by cute little phrases like "baby fat", "cherubic", "pudgy", "big-boned", "more to love", and so on. The fact is, there is nothing cute or harmless about fat kids. Their physical and emotional well-being are at peril. Let's look at a few of the risks we're unwittingly allowing them to take:
- Diabetes.
- Heart disease.
- High blood pressure.
- Stroke.
- Asthma.
- Sleep disorders.
- Fatty liver.
- GERD.
- Joint disorders.
- Depression.
- Low self-esteem.
- Behavior disorders
- Becoming obese adults.
How do we "fix" this problem? How do we help our kids achieve a normal weight? Obese children have far different food needs than do adults. They are "moving targets" in that they are growing and need nutrition to support that growth while at the same time losing excess fat.
The "bottom line" treatment of childhood obesity requires a change in lifestyle. Rather than "going on a diet", our kids need to learn how to eat "rightly": the right foods at the right times and in the right amounts. What does "right" eating look like?
- More fruits and vegetables.
- Reduced fat dairy products.
- Three "small" meals per day with healthful snacks in between.
- Whole grain breads, cereals, and pastas.
- Lean cuts of meat (substitute beans twice weekly).
- Eliminate drinks that are sweetened with sugar.
- Reduce portion sizes. (Dish up the right amount into a plate at the stove or countertop. No bowls and platters on the table. Your child likely won't even notice the difference.)
- No eating while watching TV or using the computer. When your child eats, he should eat! Nothing else.
- Help you child become more active. Walk with him; play outside with him; pay him to do chores; sign him up for sports; send him outside to play after school.
Childhood obesity is making our kids sick. Let's take back control!
Sue Bristol, R.N. gives specific advice on what you can do about childhood obesity.
Here's the "Secret Weight Loss Diet" that virtually EVERY successful dieter uses. (Whether or not they are even aware of it!)
Click Here to get your Free e-book, which will give you the "Weight Loss Secret" You don't need to be overweight: http://www.how-to-loseweight-101.com/index1.html
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