The Epidemic of Child Obesity

by Renee Dietz | More from this Blogger

Sadly, we live in a society where obesity among children is growing to staggering heights. The problem of child obesity has become so serious that experts call it, "The next epidemic". Today, the number of children in the United States living with obesity has increased by as much as 50% in just the past 20 years. To put it bluntly, one out of every five children is obese. In addition to a life of teasing, obese children who grow into obese adults are at greater risk category for certain diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and even stroke.

An obese child commonly becomes depressed and feels isolated, which leads to low self-esteem. Keep in mind that while obesity can be caused by genetics this is not always the case. Therefore, the first thing is to pay attention to the food and drinks being consumed. If your child eats a lot of processed foods, sugar, and fats, then weight is going to be a problem. By cutting out the fried foods, potato chips, cookies, soda, and other harmful foods, it would be highly beneficial. You can begin to transition your child to a healthier lifestyle of lean meats, whole grains, bread made from wheat, and sugar substitutes.

If healthy is being eaten but your child is still gaining weight, you want to check with your doctor. Some children are naturally heavier than other children because of genetics. In this case, you can encourage better diet and exercise. Considering that children between the ages of 8 and 16 spend on average three to five hours sitting in front of the television every day, it is no wonder obesity is such an epidemic problem. However, if there is a medical problem, then treatment or medication may be required.

One of the best things you can do for your obese child is to encourage activity. Make activity a part of the entire family's schedule so your child does not feel he or she is being singled out. Take an evening walk to the park every night after dinner. Today, 75% of people living in the United States live within two miles of a public park so there is no excuse. You might also think about joining a gym or your local YMCA.

School lunches are another problem in many areas. Although we see schools now offering more nutritional lunches than they used to, most still include processed and fattening foods like pizza, chicken nuggets, corn or hot dogs, cookies, pudding, and so on. To combat this problem, start packing your child's lunch of healthy foods, sandwiches, fresh vegetables and fruits, and even cookies or cupcakes made with less sugar or sugar substitute. Although your child might balk at first, he or she will actually feel better, less tired, and more energetic.

Learn more about Renee Dietz

I have been a successful, published writer for the past 26 years, offering a writing style that is informative, creative, and reader-friendly.

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