Reducing Child Obesity from Fast Food with Healthy Diets and More Exercise
March 10, 2008
Obesity is a common problem in countries like America, India etc. In America one in every three person is classified as obese. Obesity is determined through a formula called Body mass Index (BMI). If BMI is more than 30, the person is said to be obese.
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. Technically the best way to measure child obesity is through skin fold measurements. A skin fold measurement involves a caliper that pinches the skin on the upper arm to measure how much is fatty tissue. To ensure accurate readings, someone who has been trained on how to use the instrument should do this. These teenagers are at considerable risk of becoming obese adults. As children unhealthy eating habits and poor food choices were main reasons contributing to children obesity. Also lack of Exercise has been a leading cause of child obesity. These children in turn grow into in obese adults.
Causes of Child obesity
Many factors are responsible for child obesity such as unhealthy eating habits, genetics and lack of Physical activity.
Dining out in restaurants, convenient takeaways, kiddie fast food treats, family meals. Eating out is on a rise for this young generation. But sadly it comes along with a price and the price that we pay is in the form of our own health. People have forgotten the concept of “Health Is Wealth”. A dinner consisting of hamburgers, chicken nuggets and soda has become the mainstay for many American families today. Thus Child obesity from fast food and other factors is also on the rise at an alarming rate.
Health Risks of Obesity
There are many health problems that are associated with child obesity. These problems can be in the form of high blood pressure, diabetes, and coronary artery disease. Children may not see these health problems early in life, but child obesity from fast food and other causes can certainly contribute to these types of issues later on. It also has been proved statistically that families that have a higher amount of salty foods like potato chips available for snacking, and less fresh fruits and vegetables are at a high risk of child obesity.
How does Fast Food Relate to Child Obesity?
Fast food in the form of pizzas, French fries, and hamburgers contain very large amounts of unsaturated fats and also contains a good amount of calories. All this will add an average of 187 calories to a child’s daily intake and could add up to six pounds of weight each year. Keeping this fact in mind one can just imagine the rate at which obesity increases. These numbers can further increase with adolescent children, as many teens can hit the fast food chains on their own. Thus increasing the obesity at an alarming rate.
What can be done?
Child obesity can still be controlled if parents can take charge and restrict the number of visits to the fast food joints. Also they can also keep a variety of healthy options at home such as fruits, salads, fresh vegetables etc. Apart from this they can also guide their children in opting for non-fried dishes while dining out. Also they can suggest them to opt in for salads or salad bar, avoid high fat dressings, creamy cheeses etc.
Summary:
Thus with the proper guidance from the parents child obesity can very well be controlled. As children unhealthy eating habits and poor food choices were main reasons contributing to children obesity. Also lack of Exercise has been a leading cause of child obesity. These children in turn grow into in obese adults.
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