Childhood Obesity - What You Need to Know

Childhood obesity is at epidemic proportions in the western world. What was once something you saw in the occasional child is becoming more and more prevalent. Multiple things are to blame for this epidemic. The worst part is that childhood obesity affects an individual’s entire life. Luckily when caught early, it can be changed with hard work and dedication.

One of the most obvious causes of childhood obesity is inactivity. Children used to arrive home from school, go outside and play until dark. Running, jumping, riding bikes and physically playing with their friends was the norm. Now because of the lure of computers, video games and TV, children are more sedentary and spend a great deal more time sitting down engrossed in electronic entertainment. In addition, the higher rate of crime and the fact that we are all too aware of sexual predators living in our midst means that families are reluctant to allow their children outside to play unattended.

Another contributing factor to childhood obesity is the type and amount of food we eat. In the past portions, especially restaurant portions, were much smaller than they are now. This means that for children who are encouraged to clean their plates, the amount of food they have to eat is much larger than before. In addition, we have a much wider selection of convenience food, which is also highly processed and loaded with extra calories, fat and artificial ingredients. All of these things contribute to a diet that is ideal for weight gain. Having overweight, inactive parents or ones with poor eating habits also contributes greatly to this problem.

Childhood obesity leads to a variety of things in life, none of them good. It increases the risk of being an overweight adult. It increases the risk of having health problems like Type 2 diabetes, joint pain, high cholesterol, increased risk of heart disease and much more. It often damages fragile, young self-esteem, creating an inferiority complex and great self-doubt that plagues the individual throughout childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Once this happens it is very hard to change.

If you are facing childhood obesity in yourself or in a friend or family member, remember that change is possible. However, it does require work and commitment. The first thing to remember is that obesity is caused most often by poor lifestyle choices, therefore it can be rectified by different, better, healthier lifestyle choices. Get active and make activity fun. Limit the amount of time with video games, TV and the computer. Offer healthy snacks and meals and get rid of the over-processed foods that are too easy to grab in a bind.

By nipping childhood obesity in the bud early on, you prevent it from turning into adult obesity. You can change an entire life by helping a child get out of the damaging habits that are setting him on the path of childhood obesity and all the repercussions of it. Get started now with healthy living and make a difference for life.

Obese Like Me
Information and advice for obese people.