| According to a 2007 report by the Trust for | | | | cardiac output when compared to non-obese peers is |
| American's Health, approximately 25 million children | | | | a symptom on obesity in children. Teasing from their |
| ages of 6 to 17 in the United States are either | | | | peers is often a problem with overweight children. |
| overweight or obese. Child obesity is increasing and it | | | | Obesity in childhood is known to be associated with |
| is considered by many to be an epidemic in developed | | | | abnormal indices of lipolysis, including high cholesterol |
| Western countries such as Australia, Canada England | | | | levels (greater than 170 mg per dL). Being overweight |
| and the United States. | | | | affects school attendance as well, possibly leading to |
| The problem of childhood obesity is medically far more | | | | academic problems later. |
| serious than most parents realise and it is a very real | | | | What is the Solution? |
| issue that is affecting millions of children each day. Child | | | | Childhood obesity is usually caused by kids eating too |
| obesity can be directly linked to a myriad of health | | | | much and exercising too little. Researchers have |
| complications as well as to poor quality of life, poor | | | | discovered the obese children were 35% less active |
| self-esteem and impaired social skills amongst children. | | | | on school days and 65% less active on weekends |
| Because of the increasing rate of child obesity, | | | | compared to non-obese children. Parents need to set |
| paediatricians are noticing health problems among | | | | an example, be a role model and give their children |
| children that were rare in the past. | | | | guidance on exercise and healthy eating. Children of all |
| When a person is more than 20 percent above their | | | | ages will enjoy life better if they are taught to eat |
| Ideal Body Weight (IBW), they are considered obese. | | | | healthy foods and to get enough exercise. |
| Obesity can also be calculated using body mass index | | | | As children tend to eat what their parents eat, parents |
| (BMI). For children, obesity is present when total body | | | | can also assist their children by addressing their own |
| weight is more than 25 percent fat in boys and more | | | | weight issues and taking on a healthy lifestyle. If they |
| than 32 percent fat in girls. | | | | do this, their children to emulate them. Parents should |
| Problems of Obesity | | | | also rid their kitchens of junk foods and monitor their |
| Obesity is the major cause of type 2 diabetes and is | | | | eating habits and refrain from eating what they ask |
| associated with high triglycerides and decreased HDL | | | | their children not to eat. Children are more likely to be |
| cholesterol. Insulin resistance can also be attributed to | | | | obese at if one or both parents are obese. |
| obesity. Insulin is the hormone that regulates blood | | | | The fact that parents rarely exercise is part of the |
| sugar. Obesity is a killer because of the broad range | | | | problem of child obesity is as well. |
| of other diseases which it causes or makes worse. | | | | Participate in fun backyard sports with your children |
| Obesity is associated with significant increases in high | | | | and consider taking up a sport with them or one that |
| cholesterol, coronary artery disease, hyperlipidemia, | | | | you practiced when young. |
| degenerative joint disease and psychosocial disability. | | | | If the child's parents are having marital problems or |
| Depression and problems of self image and with body | | | | mentally or physically abusing the child, the stressful |
| dissatisfaction are also linked to obesity. | | | | environment can make a child turn to food. This may |
| Shortening life expectancy is also associated with | | | | be their only interest in life and he or she can easily |
| obesity. This disease is also widely recognised to be a | | | | overeat at that point. |
| serious medical problem which results in myriad | | | | Parents can also set rules for the home that help |
| distressing illnesses. | | | | reinforce the healthy lifestyle. Parents also must be |
| Child Obesity Problems | | | | concerned enough to want to do something about |
| Overweight adolescents have a 70% chance of | | | | their children's obesity. |
| becoming overweight or obese adults. So, being obese | | | | Parents need to tackle the issue of childhood obesity |
| as a child can have a lifelong impact. They also have | | | | to ensure that their children grow up to be happy and |
| the same problems that adults face. | | | | health adults. Don't be lazy and set your children a |
| Increased average blood pressure, heart rate and | | | | good example on exercise and healthy eating. |