Along with the
increase of obesity in adult, childhood obesity is on the rise. Around
15.5
percent of adolescents in the United States, aged 12 to 19 are obese.
Even more
alarming, about 15.3 percent of children ages 6 to 11 are obese. These
children
are developing Type II Diabetes and high blood pressure at an early
age. They
are placing themselves at increased risk for heart disease and other
obesity-related diseases. Their weight also makes them the target of
bullies
and children who insult and taunt them about their weight. This can
ruin their
self-esteem and put them at risk for depression.
Today’s children
make up the digital generation. They’ve been surrounded by computers
their
entire life and are not as physically active as children of past
generations were.
Instead of going outside and playing, they tend to hang out indoors,
watching
TV and playing computer and video games. Along with lack of physical
activity
comes the convenience of fast food. There are fast food restaurants
virtually
around every corner, and they have easy access to snack foods full of
saturated
fats and sugars. In addition, obese parents are more likely to have
obese
children. The reason for this is two-fold. First, obese parents
probably pass
down their poor habits to their children. Second, genetics plays a role
in
obesity.
It’s important for
parents to be role models to their children and emphasize the
importance of
physical activity and healthy eating. Parents can create healthy
environments
for their children by doing regular physical activities, such as
biking,
swimming, or walking together. They should encourage their children to
participate in sports, dance, martial arts, and etcetera. This allows
children
to develop an appreciation of physical activity and enjoy exercising.
When it comes to
eating, parents need to implement diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and
whole-grains. They can make eating enjoyable and healthy by preparing
food
together and eating together as a family. Fast-food should be limited
and
reserved for special occasions. Way too often, we reward ourselves for
a job
well done with food. Look for other ways to reward your children for
doing a
great job, such as a special shopping trip or a day with just mom or
dad.
