Fighting Obesity in Children Is A Battle We Must Win

Many families today are faced with the growing concern of childhood obesity. Obesity means having too much body fat. Obesity in children is not something to take lightly. Obesity in children is perhaps the most serious public health problem that American society faces today. Obesity rates have increased twofold in the two to five year-old age group to upwards of ten percent, and to more than fifteen percent for twelve to nineteen year-olds. This problem of childhood obesity is not limited
to the United States-it is a challenge world wide where recent increases in the standard of living has allowed people to eat more and exercise less.

Health.
The physician is the person to determine whether a child's height and weight are in the healthy range, so do not hesitate to ask him. If weight loss is recommended, the whole family should support the child by opting for healthy eating habits. Purchasing junk foods for the rest of the family will only be a temptation and tell the rest of the children that unhealthy foods are really okay. A family should be encouraged to eat in a healthy style by the purchase of plenty of fruits and vegetables and less of the high calorie sodas and high fat snacks. Fo r children with a weight problem, fast-food restaurants are not a healthy choice.

Overweight

Overweight is more prevalent in girls than boys and in older preschoolers (ages 4-5) than younger (ages 2-3).

Overweight. Overweight and obesity in children are among the most important risks to children’s long and short-term health. It is quite likely that overweight children and adolescents will become obese as adults. Children, who are overweight or obese, are at a higher risk for long and short term health problems. Overweight and obesity are such serious problems that researchers should busy themselves producing high-quality studies that clearly describe the rationale and aim of any dietary interventions and the degree of adherence to them by children and adolescents, and practitioners should report in detail on dietary interventions that seem to be working, suggests an article in the September issue of Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

Medical

Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents, and is usually caused by eating too much and not getting enough exercise. Although the majority of obese or overweight children have no medical complications, specific disorders can occur in the case of severe obesity and some subclinical disorders (hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia, etc.

Medical

Childhood obesity, a serious medical condition, is usually the result of overeating and underexercising. However, for the more severely obese child, weight loss of approximately one pound per month is recommended, especially if other medical complications related to obesity, or conditions that have been shown to be improved with weight loss are present. Nevertheless, the recommendation for severely obese children is a weight loss of one pond per month, more so if other conditions that have been shown to improve with weight loss are present. Nevertheless, for
a severely obese child, a weight loss of one pound per month is recommended, especially when medical complications caused by obesity are present. If you suspect that your child is obese, take him or her to your physician to make sure
that the obesity is not caused by a medical problem. When a child's physical activity is limited by a medical condition,
a physician can recommend safe activities. asthma), the doctor will advise on suitable activities or prescribe medication to alleviate the problem. Management is a long term project that should provide children with the tools they need to make beneficial choices for their lifelong health. The control of childhood obesity is a longterm commitment that should include providing the child the tools necessary to make healthy lifestyle choices. Many medical professionals say
that for the first time ever, the life expectancy of today's youth could be shorter than their parents. Some medical professionals have stated, that because of obesity, the lifespan of children today will be less than their parents.

Don M, a licensed pharmacist for 40 years, with a special interest in health and nutrition. For more interesting free articles on healthy weight-loss, visit my website.
For more info on overweight visit this site.

Please Rate this Article...                  5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5  Not yet Rated

More Articles From - Home | Health And Fitness

• The Chakra System – Raw Power Within Your Reach - By : TimWhiston
  
• Shawn Phillips - By : Shawn Phillips
  
• Some List of Low Fat Foods - Lose Fat, Live Longer - By : drrony
  
• How Condoms Are Made - By : Gen Wright
  
• Medicinal Uses of Lobelia Inflata - By : Lachlan Walker
  
• Maxoderm Vivaxa: Why is it so Important for Men to Perform Better in Bed? - By : Peter Kye
  
• IBS Diet - Foods & Eating for Irritable Bowel Syndrome - By : Rachit Dayal
  
• Getting Good Dental Care – Some Necessary Tips to follow - By : drrony
  
• How to Avoid Gluten Allegies - By : Gen Wright
  
• Spirulina - Some Remarkable Health Benefits - By : jeniferhobson