Causes of Childhood Obesity and How to Avoid Them

-One of the more prominent causes of childhood obesity is good old mom and dad.

Yes, it's true our children learn a good part of all their behavior and develop future habits from their parents, relatives and friends, especially when they are very young. Their eating habits are no different, in fact healthy eating habits or the lack thereof, more than any other behavior...starts at home.

-If you allow your children to dictate the rules, the results will not be good.

They certainly will not always do as you ask, but monkey see, monkey do. If fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods are a staple in the home, they'll pick up on it. That's not to say we need to eliminate all the goodies, we all need those from time to time. We just need the basic framework to be in place

Other Causes of Obesity

Unhealthy eating habits learned at a young age, while certainly a root cause of obesity for some kids, is not the sole cause for many others. Physical inactivity is also a large contributor in many children. Video games and obesity unfortunately can often go hand-in-hand.

With all the unbelievably realistic video games, movies, and constant new additions in electronic devices, it can be tough to get off the couch, for adults as well as for the kids.

How to Escape the Effects of Childhood Obesity

Well, number one of course is to set a good example. They learn from you, so do your best to show them the importance of physical activities, and how much fun they can be. Take the family biking, camping or hiking or even just a walk. Any number of fun physical activities should be a regular part of the family routine.

While it's true that many children are picky eaters, they learn from us what is healthy and what they should be eating. To avoid the causes of childhood obesity, the rules of healthy eating and the importance of a balanced healthy diet must start young, and the sooner the better.

If your child is overweight, let them know they are loved and appreciated no matter what. If they eat healthy and continue to be physically active, they'll grow up healthy and happy and the weight will usually stabilize. If not, it's all the more important our kids know that they have our acceptance and approval.

Where to Start?

-Again, show them how much fun being physically active can be, the key word being "fun". Children should get a minimum of 1 hour of physical activity each and every day. Shut off the computer and take them to the park or ball field if you have to!

-Limit television and computer time, it's really a must these days.

-Make sure to provide a balanced healthy diet for the family, and keep plenty of healthy snacks on hand so when they do get hungry, and you know they will, the right stuff is available and handy. A bowl of apples, oranges and believe it or not, even carrot sticks will disappear fast when young stomachs growl.

-Eat meals at home and as a family as often as you can, where you can guide their food choices to healthy ones.

-Don't allow foods or snacks of any kind when watching TV. If the kids need a snack, eat it in the kitchen, a habit that will serve them well in the future. Never use food as punishment for your child's bad behavior, or as a reward for good behavior, it sends the wrong message.

-Avoid all sugary drinks if possible, encourage water as the drink of choice. It will save their teeth, their waistlines, and your pocketbook...not to mention their health!

The habits that are formed by our kids as children, will follow them throughout their lives, try to make them healthy habits.

Remember that 70% of all overweight or obese adolescents will become overweight or obese adults!

http://www.health-stories.org/balanced-diet-for-kids.html deals with a wide range of health and fitness issues, from obesity and
a balanced diet for kids -to a simple, healthy eating plan we can all feel good about.

*Copyright: You may freely republish this article provided the text, author credit, the active links and this notice remain intact.

Original article

Childhood Obesity - The Root Causes

Definition

Obesity is defined as having excess body fat accumulated to the extent that it may be detrimental to health, leading to increased health problems and reduced life expectancy. Obesity is measured using Body Mass Index (BMI), which is a function of the body weight and height. According to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, an adult whose BMI is below 18.5 kg/m2 is underweight; 18.5-24.9kg/m2 has healthy weight, 24.9-29.9kg/m2 is overweight while 30 kg/m2 and above is obese.

For children, BMI is categorized into percentiles, using gender and age-specific charts. A child with a BMI below the 5th percentile is underweight, between 5th and 15th percentile is probably at the risk of underweight; between 15th and 85th percentile is healthy weight; between 85th and 95th percentile is overweight while a child whose BMI is above 95th percentile is obese.

Predisposing factors

a. Eating habits

Childhood obesity is increasing globally at an alarming rate. This is partly due to changing dietary patterns as well as lifestyle habits. Generally there is an increased consumption of calorie-rich foods and drinks instead of healthy foods like whole meal grains, fruits and vegetables. This has been contributed to in part by upsurge of fast-food eateries and their promotion through media commercials. In the developing countries, especially in Africa, eating patterns also change following rural-urban migration, which happens due to better job opportunities and schools for children in the urban areas. In this process family diets change from the traditional natural, healthier farm produce to commercial, more refined options available in the supermarkets.

b. Sedentary lifestyle

Together with the dietary changes, there are lifestyle changes as well. The urbanite lives a relatively sedentary life compared to the rural child. the latter, for example, walks and runs to school while the child schooling in the city is dropped to and picked from school or rides to and fro on public transport. To add onto that, globally children are spending more time on sedentary recreation, like watching television or playing video games than playing outside. The time spent in front of the television is also spent consuming unhealthy snacks and drinks.

These two factors are the major key players in the increasing trend of childhood obesity, but a few others also play a role.

c. Socioeconomic factors

Whereas in some developed countries obesity tends to occur more commonly in the lower socioeconomic class, in developing countries-especially Africa, it is considered a problem of the rich, who actually do not consider it as such, but consider it a status symbol. It becomes an uphill task in this case to convince these people that their children are obese and that something has to be done about it.

d. Genetics

Inheritance may also play a role in some cases of obesity, however, this is further influenced by family dietary practices and lifestyle.

Original article

Childhood Obesity Causes and Solutions

Most American children and teens are consuming fast food multiple times daily.

Working parents stock their pantries with pre-processed foods that are quick and easy enough for their kids to make.

Many of today's children are microwaving their own meals by age eight.

Several bags of microwave popcorn, with extra butter or seasoning, are perceived to be meals by many "latch key" kids.

To minimize toddlers whining in the stores, many parents succumb to buying "kid popular" products laden with sugar and fats.

Children will usually choose products that come with cool prizes or ones with their favorite characters on the packaging. Certainly, if they have eaten it at their friend's house, parents will hear very loud whines if that junk food is not put in the shopping cart. Nutritional value is not the top priority at that moment, getting the kids out of the store is.

Breakfast often consists of cookie-flavored cereals or pop tarts washed down with artificially flavored milk or food colored drink.

Hot breakfast may be three or four packets of artificially flavored, pre-sweetened oatmeal in a bowl. (Notice the lack of portion control).

Let's not mention the cold pizza and soda leftover from last night's dinner.

Parents provide their children snack money to buy treats at school in vending machines and after school on the way home with their friends.

Has your child ever asked for snack money to buy carrots to eat at the ballgame?

Many children come home from school to no adult supervision. Parents work later. Free, supervised after-school activities are not always available.

Even if Mom leaves a dinner plan, some children will only follow it if it's something they like, i.e., hot dogs, or if Mom is coming up the walkway.

What if the parent is a stay-at-home parent? Kids become beneficiaries of homemade treats and snacks in between meal times.

Lower income families tend to eat a lot of whatever they can afford. They eat a lot of heavy foods like potatoes, beans, breads, and pastas.

Portion control is usually based on the feast or famine scenario in these homes. Of course, if Grandma is visiting from the old world or if there is a family function, then massive overeating will likely take place.

Let's focus on some solutions.

Wisdom, moderation, and portion control are the keys to keeping the young ones from ingesting too much fatty foods.

Growing children requires daily vitamin supplements.

Most parents have no clue if their kids' bowels are regular, so this should be carefully watched. Bowel regularity will eliminate some of the other issues.

Exercise in the fresh air and sunshine is required to be physically healthy. Encourage walking with pets or friends and bicycling as older kids' main method of transportation whenever possible. Dancing, sports, or martial arts classes are great exercise, too.

Spend family fun time at the park, as well.

We can end the epidemic of childhood obesity by following all of the above.

Onyx Coale is a 7-figure top income earner who heads a large MonaVie organization with teams throughout North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand Southeast Asia and expanding in India. Onyx Coale is happy single mother, business owner, health-and-fitness nut and mentor to women all over the world. Onyx Coale regularly speaks to audiences of up to 10,000. You can learn more about Onyx Coale's business opportunities here http://www.onyx-coale.biz/ or more about MonaVie health and wellness products here http://www.onyx-coale-weight-loss.com/.

Original article

The Main Causes Of Child Obesity

It is a simple fact which cannot be shied away from for any longer. Humans are becoming more rotund and significantly more unhealthy these days, which has a terrible knock on effect on people when they grow older. It might be horrifying to think about, but many people are giving their children serious health problems to come as they age because of what they are feeding them. It is one of the major causes of child obesity.

At one point in time children were healthy and able to exercise freely. They were not large or overweight, and they were able to complete tasks which tested their stamina and athletic ability without difficulty. In the same tests today, many children find themselves unable to complete the task.

However, what is it that has resulted in the increase in children's unhealthiness? What are the long term effects that will happen to these same children in the future? To find out, people need to look at a wider range of things happening in the globe.

The amount of exercise which people do on a daily basis, even without thinking about it, has significantly decreased. This is a major problem for all those involved. Previously, people would have to walk to big stores to shop at. Today, people rely on the convenience of taxis or cars.

Even something as simple as television watching has been totally changed. Fifty years ago, those watching television programs would have had to have stood up and walked over to the television set in order to change the channel. Today, the remote control has removed the need to do that. There is an increasingly sedentary lifestyle which is taking hold across the globe.

This is having a major effect on the level of exercise the average person is able to get in a single day. Children have not escaped this problem, either. They are actively choosing to sit inside a home and play on a games console rather than go outside and play in the open air.

Still worse, the average person's daily diet has become terrible, in comparison to what it once was. Calorie laden meals which can be microwaved in minutes have replaced the standard fresh fare which people once ate regularly. When this fat heavy diet is combined with general lack of exercise, it is evident what the causes of child obesity are. They have to sort out extenuating circumstances to make sure that people are healthy again.

Learn more about Child Obesity. Stop by Darryl Jones's site where you can find out all about Fitness News and how it can help you.

Original article

What Are The Causes And Cures For Kids Poor Fitness And Excess Weight?

More than one-third of all kids age nineteen or younger, are overweight, or obese. And the numbers are growing. Why?

Kids in the United States are unfit and overweight at alarming rates. The trend is quite shocking and continues to grow, despite education efforts. There are serious personal, financial, and social costs already being felt by our society.

The Center for Disease Control Reports show that the rate of overweight and obese kids has tripled over the past 30 years. The causes are many and make for a complex mix of reasons. Inactivity, poor nutrition, bad food choices, socioeconomic factors, and large-scale lifestyle changes in our country. Ignorance, lack of awareness, and just plain disregard, are among other factors adding to the problem.

Many kids have high blood pressure, diabetes, fat clogged arteries, and other maladies at very early ages. These and other health related problems are becoming common. Signs of poor health are skyrocketing amongst kids who are unfit and carrying excess body weight. Health issues that were typically not seen until middle age or older. It is not uncommon to see Kids whose health and quality of life is compromised before they become teenagers, and many times even at early grade school ages.

There are also societal costs. Unhealthy kids require more public, private, and personal resources. Medications and health care costs can place a real burden on family finances.There are more missed school days, more medical costs, and more public funds expended in their behalf. Excess weight can condemn kids to shortened, diseased lives. Opportunities, in some cases, may also be limited--both employment and social.

The International Diabetes Federation predicts that one in ten adults will have diabetes by 2030. Given our seeming apathy about childhood "unhealthy weight" and our casual attitude about addressing the issue, many experts in the field see this as very likely, while other health authorities feel that the ten per cent estimate is low.

If we continue to ignore the problem, it will only get worse. If we wait any longer it will not only continue to get worse, the costs will grow higher, and we will see additional burden placed on our health care system. Taking immediate action is long past due.

Where do we begin? Prevention is the first step. Public education and awareness is next. Changes in our schools is another obvious place to start. Awareness of the magnitude of the problem, and what can be done in terms of prevention, and curing the problem is essential. Getting both adults and kids to understand the seriousness of the issue, and the associated health risks for our kids and our nation is critical.

We must keep kids active. We must make certain that schools are providing good nutritional meals, and opportunities for daily exercise if we are to make real change, real progress.

Original article

Overweight And Obese Children: Causes, Results, And What You Can Do To Help

Estimates of the number of children in the United States who are either overweight or obese continue on the rise. This situation is even more alarming in children than it is in adults. There is an increase in the likelihood of complications for the simple reason that the child is obese for a longer period of time than the adult.

Why are so many of our kids overweight? Several factors appear to come into play:

Causes:
low birth weightmaternal obesity during pregnancymaternal diabetes during pregnancysmoking during pregnancylimited or poor information about healthy eatingpeer pressure to indulge in high-calorie, high-fat foods and drinkspoor dietary modelinglow self-esteemsocial difficulties

Obese children are prone to physical and emotional complications:

Results:
poor muscle and bone developmentsleep disturbances, such as sleep apneapre-diabetic insulin resistancehigh cholesterol and triglyceridespredisposition to chronic diseases as adults

Of significance is the fact that the longer a child is allowed to remain obese, the greater the likelihood of lifetime obesity. It is crucial that steps be taken as early as possible to intervene in the dietary habits of children.

What You Can Do:

It's not so "simple" however as putting the child on a diet. The child is still growing in terms of physical and neurological development.

One must be careful in interfering with metabolism unless there is a sound scientific foundation underlying all decisions pertaining to the food intake. The physician must be consulted so a plan may be constructed which will help the child to lose weight without compromising health.

While it is essential that "no harm be done", it will not hurt the child to begin a pattern of healthy eating (most likely the entire family will benefit from a new food lifestyle). No harm will come to the child from the following measures:

• three regular meals per day supplemented with healthful midmorning and mid-afternoon snacks (fruit, vegetables, nuts, reduced fat cheese, milk, whole wheat breads and cereals)
• a meal plate that is one-half fruits and vegetables, one-fourth protein, and one-fourth whole grain pasta or bread. (No second helpings please)
• elimination of sugar-sweetened beverages of all kind
• no "multi-tasking" while eating (computer, video, TV, texting).

And, get the child moving... games, sports, walking or any other moderate activity that will burn calories and rev up the metabolism

The first goal in helping the child to lose weight is to stop the gain. If the child doesn't gain one pound, you should look at that as weight loss of a pound.

Seek the assistance of your physician or call the local hospital to inquire about meeting with the dietitian. Ask if the hospital sponsors weight loss seminars.

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by Sue Bristol, R.N.

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Original article