The Three Leading Causes of Childhood Obesity
March 6, 2008
Obesity is a common problem in countries such as America, India etc. In the US one in every three is classified as obese. Obesity is determines through a formula of body mass index (BMI).
Child obesity is becoming a major problem in the United States. Children as young as three and four are being diagnosed as excessively overweight, and the number of preschoolers in this category rises every year. Child obesity is defined as a child who has a body mass index that is too high. In boys, the body mass index should be less than twenty-five, and in girls, it should be less than thirty-two.
Causes of Child obesity
Children who consume more calories than they burn through growth and physical activities will store those calories as fat. Children who have a large imbalance in calories will indeed face this problem of obesity. When the imbalance increases then the child is said to be obese.
Food:
The eating pattern is the main cause of childhood obesity. Today the concept of wholesome meal has vanished and has been replaced by fast food/ junk food. Today children prefer more of pizzas, burgers, French fries as compared to salads and vegetables. Children today have a craving for sugary sweet ice creams as dessert and definitely do consider having a bowl full of frits as alternative. And because children learn there eating behaviors primarily from their parents, those with obese parents often turn into obese children. Parents can help their children in choosing better foods when they are young will ensure that they make the same choices as they continue to grow. Healthy choices include fruits and vegetables instead of sugary snacks. Popular choices include carrot and celery sticks, apples, bananas and even salads that include a wide variety of vegetables
Lack of Exercise is Also A Leading Causes of Childhood Obesity:
Obesity occurs when there is an imbalance in calories consumed and calories utilized in physical activity. Thus it can also be said that when there is less of physical activity obesity occurs. Children who spend a lot of time watching television will have a greater risk of child obesity than those who go outside to play. This is especially true when they are eating unhealthy food junk food while watching television. Video games are another culprit. Television and video games are very important factors contributing to childhood obesity. In the 20th century children used to walk down to school, played sports such as swimming, football but now with developments in technology children now have cars, buses to go to school and the games they play are mostly surfing the net, computer games, chatting and listening to music. Thus the traditional concept of physical activity has vanished with the advancement in technology. When you combine the lack of exercising and the poor choices in food there is a high chance that childhood obesity will end up causing a problem for children.
Genetics
Also in the race for leading causes of obesity, Genetics is also a big culprit. Parents can also help in determining your chances of dealing with childhood obesity. If your parents had a problem with weight, chances are you will deal with the same issues. Thus it is extremely important to keep a watch on food eating habits of children, and also the physical activity they indulge into. DNA cannot be changed, but small changes in other areas can make a vast difference in
Child and their chances of dealing with childhood obesity
Summary
“Eating out Healthy “If all parents make this a mantra for their children, childhood obesity can be controlled to a great extent.
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