The Obesity Epidemic: Blame Junk food or Blame the Parents!

One in every three school going children in America are overweight. Such is the extend to which Obesity has caught up today and the growing epidemic has to be contained immediately. The scene has touched dangerous heights as childhood obesity is also growing in full speed and it’s worrying the parents as well as the government’s health department.

What causes obesity in kids?

• Lack of play is a major point to ponder. There is no value for outdoor games today and children enjoy playing video games or computer games at home
• Television has a bad influence on children as they wane away precious hours in front of TV
• There is a lot of scope for inactivity as television has become the favorite pastime for kids
• Tendencies to munch during TV hours prompts children to finish large packets of potato chips or wafers in no time
• Parents have long working hours and order junk food daily to avoid cooking. Junk food is high calorie, high fat and unhealthy
• Irregular eating hours speed up weight gain
• Depression, loneliness or frustration tempts us to eat more, encouraging obesity

One of the major causes of obesity epidemic is junk food. Easily available in schools, it comes in the form of cheese burgers or drinks like aerated drinks. Also parents don’t pressurize their children to limit it. Since kids like fatty foods and chocolates, parents find it an easy way to satiate the kid’s appetite. Again, children are not taught the importance of a fruit and vegetable diet. When they reach the teens, children end up being fat or obese with no proper nutrition.

It’s no wonder why many obese adults today resort to bariatric surgeries and diet pills. Some of the most prescribed diet pills in the market are, Xenical, Didrex and Bontril. It is considered safe and usually taken for a period of 8 to 12 weeks after doctor’s advice. But diet pills are not advisable for children.