Jan 17, Dangers Of Childhood Obesity

The child obesity epidemic and the dangers of childhood obesity are at the forefront of many health professionals discussion groups. The reason for this is the long lasting psychological and physical effects that children have to endure. It's hard enough that they have to deal with the extra weight but not being able to participate in as many activities as the other kids affects them emotionally. What we don't see is their deep seeded pain.

Our first action in dealing with childhood obesity is a physical one. We want to help them look better. It is presumed that if they look better they will naturally feel better. This is true in many cases. As they start to emotionally feel more accepted by their peers their self esteem improves. The problem is; once they do start to look better, and they will if they get proper nutrition and exercise, is it may be too late. Have the physical dangers of childhood obesity been too much for their bodies to handle?

Dealing With Adult Diseases

Type 2 diabetes has for years been an adult disease that in most cases wasn't diagnosed until the later in life. It has become one of the biggest dangers of childhood obesity in recent years. Type 2 diabetes is a non insulin dependent disease that is difficult to treat. In some cases it can lead to being insulin dependent.

Overweight and obese children are at a greater risk of contracting Cardiovascular disease later in life. The older the children are, the greater the risk is. In other words an obese teen is more likely to have a cardiovascular disease in adulthood than an obese pre-teen.

Sleep apnea is a disorder when breathing is interrupted by blocked airway passages resulting in poor sleep quality. Obese children with sleep apnea will experience daytime fatigue, problems in school, and have a tendency to be hyperactive.

The development of bone mass during the growing years is essential. Children with a higher body fat percentage may be at risk of developing osteoporosis as adults. The reason for this is children who have more body fat have less bone mass. Interestingly though is that adults who are heavy and have already built stronger bones from carrying the excess weight are at a lower risk of developing osteoporosis. The opposite is true for children. Their bone development is compromised.

Worth Mentioning

Other dangers worth noting are cancer, asthma and hypertension. In more severe cases: gall bladder disease, liver disease, and high cholesterol.

Evaluating all the dangers of childhood obesity is a difficult process. There are variables that need to be considered such as environmental and genetic issues which is why it needs to be done on an individual basis. One of the biggest dangers of childhood obesity is the psychological effects that have occurred. With proper nutrition , exercise, and a metabolism boost we can solve childhood obesity. We all hope once the weight issue is under control and their self esteem has been restored that they live long, happy, and healthy lives.

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Jan 17, Childhood Obesity Facts

Childhood obesity in America and worldwide is a major health problem. The childhood obesity facts has the potential to effect many physical and psychological problems in children. Increases in weight gain as a child grows is normal as long as they are within the limits of their body mass index. When the increase in body weight is more than what is considered healthy body weight then children can be considered obese. Some of the childhood obesity facts are type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol

There are numerous causes for childhood obesity. The main cause is eating more calories than the body burns through physical activity. Child obesity is often a result of nutritional, psychological, physiological, and family factors. It is commonly known that many obese children have obese parents. This may be due to genetic reasons but most times it is a result of the parenting lifestyles.

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Parents are role models and when they have poor eating habits and irregular exercise practices their children inherit those same poor habits. Additional childhood obesity facts are: children spending too much time watching television or playing video games. While engaging in these activities they have a tendency to eat high calorie snacks and drink sodas which are loaded with sugar. Heredity also has a role in childhood obesity. Studies have shown that children of overweight mothers were found to be less active than children of normal weight mothers.

Obesity Risks

Children who continuously consume high calorie foods such as those found at fast food restaurants, vending machines, and doughnut shops are at high risk of becoming obese. In order to maintain weight they need to burn those calories through physical exercise. If they don't they will gain weight. Psychologically, the childhood obesity facts with children who have difficulties dealing with stress and emotions can lead to obesity. Many children who have emotional issues will turn to food as an escape. Often that food is high in sugar which momentarily gives them a euphoric feeling easing the stress and leaving them with a feeling of relief.

Health Risks

There are numerous health risks associated childhood obesity both physically and psychologically. The physical risks include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, type II diabetes, liver disease, sleep disorders , and several different respiratory problems. In addition obese children are at risk of stroke, heart attack, and some cancers. Psychologically they feel lonely and depressed. Obese children get picked on, taunted, and they have fewer friends which effects their self esteem and body image.

Solutions

According to the childhood obesity facts the best solution is to encourage and implement a healthy diet. This means making changes in overall lifestyles from eating habits to physical activity. Depending on the age of your child use caution when deciding on a formal weight loss diet program. Keep in mind that they may be still going through a natural growth process. A healthy diet should include fresh whole foods such as vegetables and fruit. Eliminate the fried foods and go for grilled or baked foods instead. Avoid foods that are processed and foods with high salt or sugar content.

In order to achieve the best results the childhood obesity facts require changes in eating habits and physical exercise. It all starts with making changes as a family. Mealtime should be had as a family and at the dinner table. Encourage eating more slowly and never allow television viewing during mealtime. Provide healthy snacks and remind your child that it is a snack not a meal. Additionally involve your family in more exercise. Take a walk together on a daily basis and create chores that require physical activity such as: taking the dog for a walk, taking out the trash, or even cleaning their room.

These are the main childhood obesity facts. Results take time but with patience and determination you can help your child regain their health and live a more active life.

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Jan 17, Childhood Eating Problems

When it comes to childhood eating problems many times the parents are the last ones to know that their child is battling an eating disorder. Although you would assume that they are in a perfect position to be involved often times because of their childs privacy issues the childhood eating problems become unnoticeable. As parents we want to nurture and protect so once the eating disorder is recognized we have no choice but to be actively involved. But How?

The first thing that must be done is to be supportive and be sure that your child knows how much you love them. Both parent and child want to live happy, healthy, normal lives and in many cases that may involve therapy. So it is important that the parents involvement is in sync with health professionals plan for recovery. It is the parents involvement that will help the recovery process for the simple fact that they see the day to day routines.

Be The Observer

There is only so much that can be accomplished in the therapist office, testing will give results only after the disease is into a medically necessary stage, so it is up to the parents to note the childhood eating problems. Eating disorders are diseases that quite naturally are going to appear around meal times. Pay special attention to how they do or do not eat. Do they come up with lame excuses not to eat such as they ate at a friends house? Do they push their food around the plate making it appear as if they ate some of their meal? Are they eating their meal or just nibbling here and there? Are they the last to arrive to the table at meal times and the first to leave? Do they get antsy or show signs of depression at meal times? This parental involvement is critical to your childs recovery because no one else is around to be the observer.

Some parents have difficulties being the observer with childhood eating problems because they feel as though they are being too controlling and are afraid of causing a negative reaction. They feel as though they are intruding in their childs privacy and start believing that the eating disorder is their fault. Parents need to know that the eating disorder and lack of proper nourishment effects their childs rational thinking.

Nurture Your Child To Better Health

If there ever was a time for parents to be nurturing now is the time. They must understand that the eating problems are affecting their childs ability to function under normal conditions. Until they become more self sufficient they need their parents whether they want to admit it or not. Don't feel as though you are controlling them because you are not. You are showing them unconditional love that will be appreciated once they become more responsible with their eating habits.

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Success has a simple formula: do your best, and people may like it. Sam Ewing

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