The Epidemic of Childhood Obesity

Tip! A little improvement in the lifestyle can protect your children from being the victims of childhood obesity.

Childhood obesity is becoming more and more common in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over the past 30 years, the number of overweight children ages 6 to 11 years has more than doubled.

Obesity is defined as an excessive accumulation of body fat. Obesity is present when total body weight is more than 25 percent fat in boys and more than 32 percent fat in girls (Lohman, 1987).
I believe the most tragic part of this epidemic is that in most cases, it can be prevented.

Recently during a fitness and nutrition seminar at our church we went through an exercise that I call "fast forward." You consider a bad habit that has been troubling you or even ruling your life. You look forward into the future to see what your life will look if you continue that bad habit in 1 year, 5 years, 10 years, etc.

I had one woman that was visibly upset. Rather than seeing herself she saw her children. She realized that her habits of unhealthy eating, were being passed on to her children and therefore creating the same hell she was going through. Yes, she was considerably overweight.

Tip! Said Dr. Samuel Abbate, at a childhood obesity conference sponsored by the North Dakota Department of Health: �The consequences of denying the body exercise are just as severe as depriving it of food, water, or oxygen; it just takes longer to see the consequences.

Maybe you already know it's a problem but you don't know what to do. Here are a few suggestions.

Eat meals as a family. I know that we are all so busy these days but sitting down as a family is so important. Slow down and share family time. Meals together aren't just about eating. It's also a time to spend quality time and share your day.

Tip! Evaluating Self-Regulation Efforts and Childhood Obesity.

Do not love your children with food. Give your child a hug, a story, anything that encourages a relationship. Your child will remember a hug and time together far longer than a candy bar.

Eat a balanced meal. No fad diets! It's really not that hard to put together a meal quickly. However, it does take some preparation. It's pretty fast to throw together a bag of salad, rice in a bag (90 seconds) and broil chicken breast. That's 20 minutes tops. It takes longer to drive to a fast food restaurant, order, eat your food and come home than to prepare a meal at home.

Plan school lunches and snacks. You will probably have to plan lunches for school if you want your children to have something healthy to eat. Little modifications make a big difference. Try some of these ideas; baby carrots rather than chips, fruit cups, turkey sandwiches cut in fun shapes on whole grain bread.

Tip! John Furnem specializes in work psychology and Stress disorders, he has written articles and held workshops/seminars on the effect of stress on children and adults . John writes articles on Childhood Obesity for ZupaTips.

Incorporate exercise into their day. Do we even have physical education in the schools anymore? Get moving and keep moving as a family.

I hear so many people say that they don't think it's fair to deprive their children of candy, cookies and junk food. Really parents; the only thing you will be depriving them of is low self-esteem and Type II Diabetes.

Phyllis Ward in an author, online fitness coach and personal trainer. She consults with clients by phone or in person. For more information about Phyllis or her services please visit http://www.godstemple40.com.

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Watching TV Is a Risk Factor for Childhood Obesity

Tip! The last recommendation of Public Affairs Committee says that all parents should be educated to pay a special attention of breastfeeding and proper childhood nutrition as a protective approach against childhood obesity.

A recent study shows with no doubt the close link between viewing unhealthy food advertisements on TV and overweight children. According to many reports watching television is the most engaging activity, except sleeping, for many kids. Besides the fact watching TV is a sedentary activity, the study concluded that the consequence of averaging 22 hours of viewing a week is high exposure of children to any kind of commercials.

Tip! It shows the childhood obesity problem divided among ethnic groups like this:19.4% .

Because these days too many children may spend money on their own, they are being exploited by clever marketing and food companies often target their campaigns to this group. The study provides strong evidence that television is very effective in pushing kids to eat the junk foods that are advertised. As a result, kids who spend more time watching television also eat more of the low-nutrient and calorie-dense foods. Television watching time was also founded to be the strongest lead to additional consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.

Tip! Awareness amidst parents and adults regarding childhood obesity is important. They must try to inculcate healthy eating habits in their children.

The major social concern is the health of the kids around the world is put at risk by the marketing of junk food trough television. The rising epidemic of childhood obesity in EU and the United States has been associated to diabetes and cardiovascular disease in even young children, and to an accumulation of health troubles in their later life.

Valerian D is a freelance writer interested in health issues that requires a social concern such as childhood obesity

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4 Steps to Preventing Childhood Obesity

Tip! Valerian D is a freelance writer interested in health issues that requires a social concern such as childhood obesity.

In the past few years, information on childhood obesity seems to be everywhere. The reason for this is because of the frightening rate at which the number of obese children is growing. Society is consequently trying hard to react to a worsening problem that is spreading to almost epidemic proportions.

There are four main steps all parents must take in order to prevent childhood obesity in their children.

Abolish soft drinks from the diet

One of the biggest problems in children's diets today is that of carbonated soft drinks. Because of the fact that there is absolutely no nutritional value in these drinks, it is crucial that they are eliminated from the diet. This is particularly recommended by physicians and nutritionists as an important factor in combating the epidemic of childhood obesity that has become a reality of the modern era.

Tip! John Furnem specializes in human resources and work psychology he has written articles and held workshops/seminars on the effect of stress on children and adults. John writes articles on Childhood Obesity for http://www.

Elimination of these drinks from your child's diet may be a difficult process, depending upon age and the amount of consumption. If the child is at an age where he or she does not yet make a choice in what is consumed, then the process is easy. This is where you simply stop giving these drinks to the child, replacing them with more healthy alternatives. Where children are old enough to help themselves, it is important to ensure that no soft drinks are available. Stock your refrigerator with low-fat milk, water, or fruit juices made from real fruit.

Tip! fV/-wv�*� Strauss, R (2000). Childhood obesity and self-esteem.

Remember that you are a role model for your child and therefore, it is important that you lead by example in your choice of nutritious drinks both at home and when dining out.

By creating a soft drink free environment at home and teaching your child about healthier alternatives, you can help to change the thought processes. This is only one step but that step can go a long way toward helping your child to achieve or to maintain a healthy weight.

Restrict fast food

For children who are already showing signs of obesity, it is best to completely eliminate things such as hamburgers, fried chicken, chips, milkshakes and other fattening products from fast food restaurants. However, if this has been part of the child's routine, it may be difficult. Although scientific literature gives no specific recommendations, it is believed among nutritional experts that fast food is acceptable on a once per week basis.

Tip! John Furnem specializes in work psychology and Stress disorders, he has written articles and held workshops/seminars on the effect of stress on children and adults . John writes articles on Childhood Obesity for ZupaTips.

It is not necessary to totally eliminate takeaway food from the diet but rather to help the child to make healthier choices. Many fast food restaurants are now listening to public opinion and providing a healthier range of food rather than just the traditional range that they are renowned for.

Tip! Evaluating Self-Regulation Efforts and Childhood Obesity.

To totally eliminate fast food would be unrealistic as there is also a social connection, particularly in the older children. Often this is a meeting place for friends and it would be hard for the child to resist temptation. It is crucial therefore, that parents ensure their child understands how the traditional fast foods contribute to obesity.

Limit television viewing
It would be unrealistic to think of eliminating television from your child's life not to mention deprivation. There are many programs on television these days that are beneficial to your child's development. However, it is important to limit television viewing as well as other technology such as DVDs and internet.

Child rearing professionals advocate no television at all for children under two and no more that two hours per day for children over two. This also applies to other media technology though internet surfing for homework purposes could be exempt. Remember also that if your child is spending a lot of time on the internet, it is important to have internet security software for their protection.

Tip! Because childhood obesity is a major social concern, the Public Affair Committee consider that prevention of this condition must begin with prevention of obesity during the reproductive years. By consequence, the report suggests to avoid obese or overweight conditions during the pregnancy.

Another way of restricting television viewing is to only have a television in the family room rather than allowing your child to have one in the bedroom.

Dinner time is for enjoying the meal and also for enjoying the company and closeness of family. Turn the television off to promote conversation.

Promote physical activity
One of the great regrets of our modern age is the lack of activity of our children. Imaginative play has been replaced by media technology which induces sedentary lifestyles. Our children should all be physically active every day. This can take the form of play, sport, physical education, walking to school or shops, community activities, or any other activity that requires a level of physical exertion.

Pre-school children should be engaging in a minimum of three sessions each week of physical activities that last more than twenty minutes at a time and that require moderate to vigorous levels of exertion. This should increase as the child gets older. As the child reaches school age, this activity should be reaching around 30 minutes to an hour of physical activity on all or most days of the week.

These recommendations will be difficult at first for the child who has been inactive so don't expect results too quickly. Aim for fun activities with siblings or parents at first. Things such as playing a game of tag or going for a family walk in the park are better than doing nothing and will be beneficial to everyone. Gradually increase the activity during these outings. If done in a fun atmosphere, the child will look forward to these activities and it will become a natural way of life.

Tip! Studies in the United States have made the same determination. An increase in childhood obesity of 20 percent over the last decade (at least one in five American children is currently overweight) has occurred despite a decrease in overall fat consumption and little change in caloric intake.

Looking to the Future
Unfortunately, obese children often grow up to be obese adults. They are then likely to suffer diseases attributable to this obesity and the economic costs to the community are substantial.

It is therefore in everybody's interests for measures such as the abolition of soft drinks and fatty fried foods, sweets and chips and any other obesity producing foods to be banned from school tuck shops and in other areas where children frequently purchase foods. Advocating for our children's health and for the future of this generation is of the utmost importance.

Anne Wolski has worked in the health and welfare industry for more than 30 years. She is a co-director of http://www.magnetic-health-online.com and http://www.betterhealthshoppe.com which are both information portals with many interesting medical articles. She is also an associate of http://www.timzbiz.com which features many articles on internet marketing and resources.

Anne Wolski has worked in the health and welfare industry for more than 30 years. She is a co-director of http://www.magnetic-health-online.com and http://www.betterhealthshoppe.com which are both information portals with many interesting medical articles. She is also an associate of http://www.timzbiz.com which features many articles on internet marketing and resources.

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Ways to Help Your Child Fight Childhood Obesity

Tip! Obesity, was long known as a leading cause of type II diabetes, but the high prevalence of childhood obesity could be the evidence that it possible accelerates the onset of type 1 diabetes in various young populations.

Halloween, slumber parties, birthdays � sometimes, it seems like childhood is one big food fest. It is difficult to deprive your child with special delicacies and delights when all her friends are having a grand feast.

However, this simple condition can bring about more trouble than you can think of. Treating your child occasionally may be good, but giving them the chance to devour every sweets and treats that they want could mean one big problem � childhood obesity.

In some instances, some people claim that genetics can play a major part in childhood obesity. It does, but not as big as the role that parents do. It is a falsehood that genetic materials induce a child to be heavy at an early age.

For the greater part of the population, genetic materials may establish the lower maximum values of people's weight, but people themselves establish the higher maximum values by their food choices. In addition, since most kids cannot simply set the limits and choose the food that they need to eat, it is the duty of the parents to set the limits.

You do not know how to do it? Here are some tips that will help you keep track of your child's food and eating regimen and help him fight childhood obesity.

1. Happy Halloween!

As the only festival dedicated almost completely to overeating on "sugar-laden treats," Halloween holds an extraordinary place in hell for most parents dealing with childhood obesity.

Tip! The numbers present a sad reality, one of five children is considered overweight, and this tendency only increases with time, childhood obesity is increasing in different ethnic groups, in both genders and all across the world, North America and Western Europe are leading the charts in regards to childhood obesity, but other regions of the world are not to far behind.

This can understandably be a very tough time for your child to get through, but you can make it easier. Try focusing on the real spirit of the season and make a special haunted house for the kids, or let them have a "spooktacular" party with ghost stories, rubber spiders, and the old "spaghetti intestines and grape eyeballs" game.

For younger kids, a costume party with pumpkin painting and other activities is always fun. The important thing is that you shun away your kinds from any signs of sugary sweets.

2. Overnight trips

The first solo sleepover can be nerve-wracking for both you and the host parents. Kids old enough for slumber parties and overnight trips are typically at least starting to manage some of their own food and diet regimen, which helps.

Tip! John Furnem specializes in human resources and work psychology he has written articles and held workshops/seminars on the effect of stress on children and adults. John writes articles on Childhood Obesity for http://www.

Spend some time with the parents in advance of the event to give them a briefing on what your child might potentially need, and make yourself available via phone for any questions they might have.

Provide them with healthy snacks that they can eat and give them nutritious to cook.

3. Calorie-conscious kiddos

It is important to teach your child about the kinds of foods that they are expected to eat. Splurge some time teaching your child the comparative calorie substance. That will make your child make better food choices.

Tip! There are four main steps all parents must take in order to prevent childhood obesity in their children.

It is better to teach them early how to read food labels to help boost their food awareness.

4. Snack on the right foods

Children are very vulnerable to snacks; hence, it would be difficult to remove them. The only best way to prevent childhood obesity is to allow them to snack on the right foods. Give them some apples instead of a bar of chocolates.

Tip! It shows the childhood obesity problem divided among ethnic groups like this:19.4% .

Keep in mind that eating is a habit. If your children's eating regimen has been accustomed to healthy eating from the very start, they will grow healthy and strong.

Tip! Evaluating Self-Regulation Efforts and Childhood Obesity.

Indeed, fighting childhood obesity is not a problem. It is just in the manner parents teach their children the right stuffs to eat.

obesitytopics.com is a free information site that offers articles and resources on Childhood Obesity. If you want to read or share information on Health&Fitness
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Childhood Obesity � What Can Parents do?

Tip! And too much of the wrong kind of food is associated with Type II diabetes, all sorts of heart disease and blood pressure problems, joint problems related to weight bearing, self esteem and confidence issues, high cholesterol, mental problems such as depression and sleep disruption, unstable mental stamina, pulmonary problems. The research in this field points to one clear fact, if you are obese as a child you start a far higher chance to be an obese adult, so childhood obesity is not some childhood problematic phase that goes away after some time, childhood obesity can lead to a very problematic adulthood.

As the government becomes more aware of the problem of childhood obesity, schools in the UK are now planning to weigh and measure all children at the ages of 4-5, when they start primary school and again at 10-11, when they are about to leave for secondary education. This is something which is already being carried out in the US, but how effective is it?

There are arguments that children will be stigmatised and that this will increase bullying, as well as leading to an increased number of children suffering from eating disorders in the future. In addition, many people feel that parents should be able to tell that their child is overweight and that the money could be put to better use by doing something to help change the situation.

Tip! There are four main steps all parents must take in order to prevent childhood obesity in their children.

As a parent, what can you do to help your children keep their weight under control?

It is important to be aware of children's feelings - if they are being bullied at school, parents need to be sure they aren't feeling "got at" at home by nagging parents, which will only increase feelings of isolation and failure.

Tip! fV/-wv�*� Strauss, R (2000). Childhood obesity and self-esteem.

Parents can set a good example by providing healthy meals and not eating junk food themselves, but it's important to allow some treats, as being over strict is likely to cause friction and could be counterproductive. If the whole family learn about healthy eating and try cooking new healthy recipes together, kids won't feel they are being singled out.

It is also important not to focus too much on food. Although it is an important part of life and can't be avoided, it should not be made the main topic of discussion in the family. If children are constantly reminded of their weight and what overeating can do to them, they could develop an unhealthy attitude towards food. So be sure to focus on other things, particularly areas of life which are not stressful and which your child enjoys.

Waller Jamison qualified as an acupuncturist and reflexologist. Currently her main focus is writing. For more information on helping obese or overweight children, go to Childhood Obesity

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Childhood Obesity � Helping your Child

Tip! Dr. Anhalt is a world-renowned endocrinologist and childhood obesity expert.

A child that suffers from overweight or obesity is one that should regarded as having a temporary disease, the obesity condition is dangerous for the child heath and has effect on his social life, self esteem and confidence. When you decide that you want to fight, and beat childhood obesity you should think carefully or a plan and a tactic you will use to fight this condition.

The three major keys in losing weight and having a successful diet plan are regular physical activity, performed on a set schedule and without exception the physical activity will encourage the child to get better and hopefully cause him or her to focus on activity rather than on food or the discomforts of the diet.

Tip! Awareness amidst parents and adults regarding childhood obesity is important. They must try to inculcate healthy eating habits in their children.

The next key to fighting childhood obesity is naturally a diet, making a diet plan should be done after advising with a diet professional that has all the tools and information about your child and his or her needs. making a realistic plan that will take a long time to complete you will gradually adapt new eating habits, showing the child that there are different kinds of foods and that making the child conscience of the things they eat and their effect on weight and the body. Increasing the awareness to the effect of different foods is a very important thing since it clearly identifies the cause and effect relationship to the child.

The last key for beating childhood obesity is as important and as natural as the first two, it is slowly and gradually changing the behavior of the child, and sometimes of the whole family, the new behavior patterns can be treated as rules first, make sure you explain why it is not good to eat candies, and more impotently you should make sure that your child knows that from time to time he or she are allowed to make an exception and have a candy, do not delete and block sweets from their lives completely since this usually has the opposite effect on kids.

Tip! Obesity presents numerous problems for the child. In addition to increasing the risk of obesity in adulthood, childhood obesity is the leading cause of pediatric hypertension, is associated with Type II diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, increase stress on the weight-bearing joints, lower self-esteem, and altered relationships with peers.

The behavior change is a major one and if effects all the rest of the keys mentioned here, you should try and set rules in the beginning, if you can have a family meeting and set those rules it will be beneficial for everyone, making the children feel that they are setting these rules, you should encourage your kids to set rules and live by them, when you first start you can also join their activities to show them they are not alone, and from time to time you could explain how important it is to follow the rules and the benefits that are waiting in the end of the road.

Tip! Valerian D is a freelance writer interested in health issues that requires a social concern such as childhood obesity.

A technique I have heard about some time ago uses imagination and positive thinking to encourage obese children to maintain a diet and physical activity routine. The parents have a weekly talk with the child and they go over all the last week events, good and bad, trying to explain what happened and why, not forgetting to compliment the child on his or her achievements. Once the events have been reviewed and points made clear the parent and the child close their eyes and imagine how it would be like in a month or two ahead, with more weight loss and better fitness and daily routine, talk about all the benefits of losing weight, like nicer clothes, better feeling, more energy, social admiration and so on, just make sure that the goals are realistic and can be achieved in a month or two of hard work, when your child achieves this you should mention the talk to him or her and demonstrate how belief and will power has real effect on life.

Tip! John Furnem specializes in work psychology and Stress disorders, he has written articles and held workshops/seminars on the effect of stress on children and adults . John writes articles on Childhood Obesity for ZupaTips.

John Furnem specializes in work psychology and Stress disorders, he has written articles and held workshops/seminars on the effect of stress on children and adults . John writes articles on Childhood Obesity for ZupaTips.com

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Childhood Obesity May Lead to Type 1 Diabetes

Tip! Obesity, was long known as a leading cause of type II diabetes, but the high prevalence of childhood obesity could be the evidence that it possible accelerates the onset of type 1 diabetes in various young populations.

The insulin is a hormone used by the body in metabolizing carbohydrates and in regulating blood sugar (glucose) levels. Some times, from special reasons, there is insufficient insulin to complete the body's need. Then diabetes occurs. Type 1 diabetes is when the body has a total lack of insulin and the type 2 is when the body does not make enough insulin or cannot properly use it.

Obesity, was long known as a leading cause of type II diabetes, but the high prevalence of childhood obesity could be the evidence that it possible accelerates the onset of type 1 diabetes in various young populations.

The most exposed groups of younger patients are those in which the production of insulin in the pancreas beta cells already had been seriously compromised.

Associated with higher body mass index (BMI), the pancreatic beta cell function is compromised and the body can no longer accomplish the additional metabolic demands. Scientists are still unable to explain whether reduced beta cell function is solely due of auto-immune factors or the non-autoimmune factors have their part of contribution.

On the other hand, studies in those young diabetes patients who still have a relatively well function of beta cells, revealed that there is no statistical association between age of onset and high BMI.

Tip! Studies in the United States have made the same determination. An increase in childhood obesity of 20 percent over the last decade (at least one in five American children is currently overweight) has occurred despite a decrease in overall fat consumption and little change in caloric intake.

Valerian D is a freelance writer interested in health issues that requires a social concern such as childhood obesity.

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