Child Obesity and Being Overweight

Child obesity is a serious -- VERY SERIOUS -- problem. It is a major health problem in today's society. Approximately 1 in 4 children are overweight or obese.

Your child's future is at risk, if he or she is obese.

Causes of Childhood Obesity

The causes include:

• Genetics -- the hereditary determination of a child's ability to gain weight.
• Metabolic -- some children may develop a glandular or hormonal, but these cases are rare problems.
• Environmental -- leading a sedentary lifestyle with extensive time in front of a TV or computer, leaving little or no time for physical activity.
• Nutritional -- unhealthy eating habits, including over-consumption of high-calorie foods and carbonated drinks.
• Lack of physical activities.

If untreated, childhood obesity normally continues into adolescence and adulthood.

Consequences of Obesity in Children

Childhood obesity could lead to serious consequences. Just a few of those are:

• High blood pressure
• High LDL cholesterol levels (bad cholesterol)
• Orthopaedic problems, and
• Sleep disorders.
• But, a more immediate problem is that obesity negatively impacts on your child's self-esteem and social relationships. These in turn, often impact negatively on academic performance in school, which could further affect their lifestyle and earning potential as adults.

Research shows that as the occurrence of childhood obesity continues to increase, there is a corresponding increase in medical disorders in children and adolescents, such as:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Asthma, and
• Hypertension.

Childhood obesity could also lead to eating disorders in some teens, e.g. Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorders. For more information click on Eating Disorders.

Health Risks Associated with Child Obesity

Other health risks could affect your child later in life, such as:

• Heart problems
• Cancer
• Respiratory problems
• Arthritis
• High blood LDL cholesterol levels
• High blood pressure
• Become overweight or obese adults
• ... even Premature death!

Advantages of Early Detection of Obesity in Children

• Helps prevent the progression of obesity.
• Determines the causes of child obesity.
• Easier to implement corrective behavior such as healthy eating habits and exercise activities.
• Helps avoid the negative emotional impact that child obesity would have on the child's self-esteem, success and happiness.

Prevention of Child Obesity

Proper Nutrition

Teaching children at an early age the habits of healthy eating and adequate physical activity goes along way in preventing child obesity. Physical activity and regular exercise are essential for healthy growth in children as well as child weight loss and weight management.

Nutrition for Weight Loss

Nutrition is the process by which nutrients, in the form of food, enters your body.

Nutrients are essential chemical substances required by your body for growth and health maintenance. Your body supplies many of the nutrients it needs. Those nutrients that your body does not supply are known as essential nutrients and are supplied through the food you consume.
Essential nutrients include... Read more on nutrition.

Child Obesity and Your The Family

Parents are the most important role models for their child's social development. As such they should be aware of the health risks associated with a child's overweight and obesity.

Many incorrectly assume that child obesity is 'baby fat' and that the child will grow out of it. However, many parents do understand and accept their responsibilities in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and by being physically active role models for their child.

Child Obesity and The School

Having hectic work schedules result in many parents relying on schools to provide and promote a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition education and physical activities.

Both parents and teachers should be actively involved in creating a healthy eating environment in schools. This is often constrained by limited funds or budget restraints.

Dispensing Machine Controversies

Many schools have carbonated soft drink and candy dispensing machines, which bring in thousands of dollars of fund raising revenue each month. This is very controversial (because it tends to conflict with the school's duty of encouraging a healthy eating environment) in the light of maintaining a healthy eating environment in the schools.

In addition, some carbonated soft drinks contain caffeine, which is an addictive drug or has addictive properties. This may also explains why these soft drinks are so popular with children and adults alike.

Although the dispensing machines are meant to generate additional revenue for the school, it can encourage the development of bad eating habits in susceptible young people -- not to mention the detrimental effect on their long-term medical and dental health.

What do YOU think?

Treatment of Child Obesity

Recommended methods for safe reduction of Child Obesity include:

• Realistic Goals -- Set realistic goals that can be attained. 1-2 lbs. per week is reasonable and attainable and safe.
• Behavior Change -- modify eating habits, diet as well as increasing regular exercise /physical activity.
• Eating Management -- provide your child and family with a balanced diet, including lots of fruit and vegetables. The recommended ratio of carbohydrates to proteins to fats is 5:3:1. Because some parents have very hectic work schedules it is difficult for them to monitor their child's eating habits effectively.
• Specific pharmaceutical / medically recommended nutritional supplements can help.
• Physical activity -- Increased physical activity and exercise are essential for healthy growth in children. Because of their growth needs children require a high calorie intake. Therefore, instead of reducing the overweight child's calorie intake, it is recommended that the child's physical activities be increased instead. About 30 minutes of physical activity a day is manageable by both parent and child.
• Family Participation is essential in reducing Child Obesity. The level of family involvement often determines the level of successful weight loss management in children. The plan should involve both the parent and child, not just the child on his/her own.

Help your overweight or obese child/ren regain the future they deserve .... Take action now!

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