| It's difficult to turn on the TV these days without seeing | | | | child falls within the normal ranges for height and |
| a report on just how unhealthy our kids are. The | | | | weight. |
| number of children who are dangerously overweight, | | | | Some other precursors and symptoms to be aware |
| practically obese, has skyrocketed in recent years. | | | | of are as follows: |
| What's the Danger? | | | | - Abnormal self-consciousness when undressed or |
| An obese child has a 70% larger risk of becoming an | | | | center of attention |
| obese adult, and closer to 80% if one parent is obese. | | | | - Lack of physical activity |
| Not to mention these horrible dangers of childhood | | | | - Family history of obesity (especially in immediate |
| obesity: | | | | family) |
| - Heart disease | | | | - High added sugar intake (sodas, juices, candies, |
| - Type II diabetes | | | | cakes, cookies) |
| - Joint issues | | | | - Incessant snacking between meals |
| - High cholesterol | | | | |
| - Breathing problems | | | | How Can We Help Our Children? |
| Not only are these danger's physical, but they are also | | | | The ways in which we can help our children and |
| emotional and psychological. Here are just a few such | | | | prevalent and numerous and shouldn't take too much |
| problems of childhood obesity: | | | | researching. Our kids today are constantly being fed |
| - Low self-esteem | | | | with video games, television, and junk food. And, we |
| - Depression | | | | need to do our best as parents to combat these |
| - Lack of confidence, or over-confidence | | | | elements by providing healthy exercise alternatives, |
| | | | healthy dieting, love, and support. |
| Symptoms & Precursors to Obesity | | | | - Help your family to exercise |
| Of course it is almost always apparent by simple | | | | - Eat a good, sensible, balanced diet from all the food |
| visual symptoms, however, from your child's weight, | | | | groups |
| height, and age, you can also determine your child's | | | | - Stay positive and love your children! |
| Body Mass Index(BMI). The BMI can be used along | | | | Together we can help the next generation of children |
| with published charts to determine whether or not your | | | | to be healthier and happier. |