Conquering Child Obesity - How to Beat Child Obesity

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With more and more kids getting bigger and bigger these days

, doctors and other health professionals have to deal with diverse issues. Obesity isn't a condition that limits itself to weight, with the worst effect being low selfesteem. Childhood obesity can lead to some serious illnesses (like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease) that can have long-lasting effects. So how bad is the problem of childhood obesity?

The widespread nature of childhood obesity:

Thirty years ago, less than 5 percent of children were considered obese. Today's figures put the number of obese American children somewhere between 12 percent and 15 percent! That translates into millions of children, preteens, and teens suffering from very adult conditions like diabetes and depression related to weight gain. Only a physician can make the official diagnosis of obesity.

Although some areas of the country are touted to have larger populations of heavy adults and kids, childhood obesity isn't really a regional problem. The surgeon general has said that it's an epidemic affecting the entire country; he doesn't single out one specific state or city.

Only a physician can make the official diagnosis of obesity. He or she does this by using height and weight charts along with BMI-for-age charts. These tools give the doctor a clear indication of How heavy a child is in relation to the normal weight for his or her age The types of interventions the doctor should recommend in order to improve the child's health

Understanding Childhood Obesity:

Changes for the worse at home A large part of the childhood obesity epidemic is the result of some major lifestyle changes. Thirty years ago, back when a tiny percentage of children qualified as obese, there weren't 800 cable television channels to choose from. Video games were boring and low-tech, to say the least, and most people didn't even know what a computer was. Kids simply didn't have endless indoor entertainment options, so they played outside more often. They were active without even knowing it. It's simply what kids did back then! Today, many kids are glued to some sort of screen much of the time. However, some kids aren't allowed to play outside because they come home from school to an empty house or to a babysitter who isn't quite up to the task of keeping the kids safe outdoors. Thirty years ago, in comparison, a large number of households had at least one parent who stayed home full time, who booted the kids out the door when they got on her nerves, and who prepared meals from scratch. We're not knocking moms who work full time outside the home nowadays. (Indeed, many homes depend on two full-time salaries just to keep things moving toward the black and away from the red.) Families are just far more dependent on fast food and convenience foods these days, both of which tend to be very high in fat, and both of which are believed to contribute mightily to obesity.

With so many meals eaten on-the-go, families don't sit down to dinner together. People have forgotten how to eat for the sake of nutrition; instead, food has become part of entertainment (as when families eat in front of the TV) or a contest to see how fast one can finish an entire bagged meal (because she's running late and only has five minutes for dinner). People don't know what normal portions look like anymore, and they've forgotten how to slow down and evaluate the merits of what they're eating.

Vending junk at school:

In addition to the changes in the average home, many children also face the rigors of making healthy choices at school. In many school cafeterias, finding healthy options is difficult, especially if the school has allowed fast-food vendors to set up shop in the lunchroom. Vending machines have become so commonplace in schools that kids and parents hardly give them a second glance anymore; however, because these machines usually aren't stocked with apples and oranges but instead with soda and candy bars, even kids who want a healthy snack often find themselves out of luck.

What's to Be Done?

You can't fight the system, right? Kids are kids, and they're going to be exposed to ads for junk food and junk-food vendors their entire life. What's a parent to do?

Whether your child has a weight issue or not, you can't throw your hands up in the air and leave his health to fate. The human body - adult or child - is not programmed to subsist on a diet comprised mostly of fat and refined carbohydrates. Cavemen didn't eat French fries. The Pilgrims didn't visit the drive-thru window every evening. Native Americans didn't whip up milkshakes. And guess what? These populations also weren't obese. Parents of obese children are often tempted to make a concerted effort to improve the child's weight and health, but most kids will try and fail if at least one parent isn't also involved in the regimen.

Easing into activity:

Just cutting fat out of your family's diet is a huge step in the right direction. Adding physical activity is another important step. Exercise helps the weight come off faster and also helps keep it off. Plus, exercise has been shown to improve mental states and alleviate depression and anxiety, so it's good for the body and the soul.

We're not advocating that you start your heavy child off in some sort of marathon training program. Just get him outside to play. If he's little, play with him. If he's bigger, let him find his own playmates or encourage him to sign up for a sport. Of course, turning off the TV is an essential part of ensuring that your child's activity level increases, so be prepared for an argument - but also be prepared to stand your ground.

Educating the kids:

Your first instinct when faced with an obese child's health crisis may be to take the reins and make his meals, drag him outside for walks, and record his weight every single day. However, the best results in improving a child's health come from a parent leading the way but also allowing the child to make some of his own decisions.

Get more information about Child Obesity and how to conquer it! -Conquering Child Obesity Secrets

Conquering Child Obesity - How to Beat Child Obesity

By: Tyler Devoll

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