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Obesity is an epidemic spreading across not only the United States but all industrialized nations where lives have become sedentary and surrounded by convenient food choices, which are typically high in calories and low in nutritional value. Childhood obesity is particularly troubling because this extra weight leads kids to a path of health problems previously confined to adults, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Today's youth are considered the most inactive generation in history. This combined with portion distortion and unhealthy overall eating has tipped the scales causing obesity prevalence to more than double in 25 years.
Children constantly look to their parents as role models and we need to be sure to set a good example by taking an initiative now, if not for ourselves then for the health of our children.
What is the Prevalence of Childhood Obesity?
One-third of U.S. children are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight.
About 25 million U.S. children and adolescents are overweight or nearly overweight.
The prevalence of overweight children ages 6-11 increased from 4 to 17.5% in 30 years.
The prevalence of overweight adolescents ages 12-19 increased from 6.1 to 17%.
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What are the Effects of Obesity on Children/Adolescence?
Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
Sleep disorders
Liver disease
Early onset puberty or menstrual periods
Eating disorders
Lowered self-esteem and bullying
Anxiety and depression
Decreased energy level and productivity
Healthy Food Tips:
Make half of your grains whole: Choose whole-grain foods, such as whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, brown rice, and low-fat popcorn.
Vary your veggies: Go dark green and orange with your vegetables--eat spinach, broccoli, carrots, and sweet potatoes.
Focus on fruits: Eat them at meals and at snack time too. Choose fresh, frozen, canned, or dried, and limit the amount of fruit juices consumed.
Get your calcium-rich foods: To build strong bones serve low-fat and fat-free milk products several times a day. Examples include low-fat cheese, non-fat yogurt, pudding, etc.
Go lean with protein: Eat lean or low-fat meat, chicken, turkey, and fish. Also, change your tune with more dry beans and peas. Add chick peas, nuts, or seeds to a salad; pinto beans to a burrito; or kidney beans to a soup.
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Change your oil: We all need some oil. Get yours from fish, nuts, and liquid oils such as corn, soybean, canola, and olive oil with low saturated fats.
Don't sugarcoat it: Choose foods and beverages that do not have sugar and caloric sweeteners as one of the first ingredients. Added sugars contribute calories with few, if any, nutrients.
--Information provided by www.mypyramid.gov
Family Role and Benefits:
Diet and exercise for the entire family is a great way to lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle.
Reward your children with gifts that encourage physical activity (i.e. sports equipment or a new pair of tennis shoes) instead of junk food.
Have sit down family dinners.
Cook healthy meals with your children.
Make the next birthday party centered on physical activity (i.e. bowling, backyard Olympics, relay races).
Be active together as a family by playing with your pets, going for a walk, playing catch, or tumbling in the leaves.
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