Seven Tips to help prevent obesity in your child
Everyone knows the hidden threat of obesity in American children is a threat that is very real and can have devastating consequences. High blood pressure, increased numbers of diabetes cases.
Joint problems considering that of excess weight and growth problems can all stem from obesity in children and adolescents. The number of obese children is rising rapidly, and has tripled in the last three decades. One of the biggest causes of obesity in children is fast food, which is very high in fat, calories, and other unhealthy components.
Lack of exercise is another common cause of this problem. Childhood obesity can be prevented by changing the diet and lifestyle of the child to a healthier one that is lower in fat and calories and much higher in nutrition.
The fact is, childhood obesity is an enormous epidemic that affects individuals not only in the United States, but all over the developed world. It has risen to become the most common chronic childhood disease, with over one third of all American children effected by it.
Here are the Five most common causes for childhood obesity:
Unhealthy eating habits.
Too much candy, soda, fast food or otherwise high-calorie food is one of the main reasons for why children become overweight.
Not enough exercise.
For many children, it’s much more interesting to play video games or watch television than playing outside. These results in less exercise which is one of the reasons why more and more children become obese.
Unhealthy family lifestyle.
Overweight children often have overweight parents, or a family who has a lifestyle that doesn’t encourage an active life. It’s shown that children with healthy parents have a less chance of becoming obese.
Genetics.
This is also a factor for why children become obese. However, this doesn’t mean it can’t be prevented or treated. The main childhood obesity causes are too many calories and too little exercise.
Medical illness.
There are some medical conditions that can increase the chance of obesity. The most known of these are Cunshing’s syndrome and Hypothyroidism.
Childhood obesity is very dangerous, and if you know someone you would like to help, but don’t take action, then there’s a very good chance that person will get serious illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, liver disease or depression.
Here are Seven Tips to help prevent obesity in your child:
* Teach your children to eat healthy meals.
* Limit TV, video game and computer time.
* Computer for school purposes only
* Go OUT to play
* Reading more
* Little or no phone calls (or limit the amount of time)
* Encourage physical activities that children really enjoy.
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