According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, our children are becoming heavier, and they are doing so at a younger age. Weights among kids have steadily increased for the past 30 years and there is every indication that the trend is not ending.
Why is this happening? There are a variety of causes, such as:
• Diet: We, and our children, are on-the-go as never before. As a result, we're eating more convenience foods, which are typically high in calories, sugars, fat, and sodium.
• Sedentary lifestyle: In the face of increasing need, we are exercising less. TV, video games, and the computer are the primary pastime of youngsters.
• Heredity: Obesity itself is not inherited. However, if the parents are overweight, it is likely the child will be overweight also. Further, parents are living the same hectic life as their kids and falling into the same high calorie, low exercise routine.
• Pregnancy difficulties: Children of mothers who gained excessive weight during pregnancy, or had diabetes, tend to have higher birth weight and more lifetime weight issues.
Childhood obesity carries with it increased incidence of depression, learning disorders, diabetes, asthma, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and liver conditions. Further, obese children as more likely to be obese adults as well and subject to "adult" diseases associated with obesity: heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, some cancers, and arthritis and joint disease.
So, what can be done? How can you help your child lose weight?
Each child is an individual and should be evaluated by the doctor to ensure that there are no underlying conditions contributing to excessive weight. However, for all children, there are certain principles which can be safely implemented.
1. Provide healthful foods for meals and snacks. Keep chunks of fruit, vegetables, chunks of low fat cheese, skim milk, whole wheat breads and crackers readily available.
2. Discard snacks that are high fat and high calorie. If the snacks are not available, the kids can't eat them.
3. Teach your child the basics of good nutrition. Tell them what is bad (saturated fat, high sodium, high calorie, excessive sugar), and what is good (fruits, vegetables, whole wheat, milk).
4. Choose "restaurant style" (bring the plate to the table) instead of "family style" (platters and bowls on the table).
5. Throw out sugar-sweetened beverages (soda, tea, energy drinks, sports drinks). Some of our kids are consuming half their recommended daily calories in pop! (Ask your doctor how many calories your child should have each day for his or her particular growth pattern).
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