Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is a current concern because it will lead to health problems in this group at a younger age than previous generations. It seems like a complex problem but the solution is simple, planning meals from a healthy food list and getting enough exercise. A child is considered obese when his or her body mass index (BMI) exceeds the 95 percentile for the standard set for a child of the same sex and same age. This simply means the child is above normal weight and even obese.

The BMI standards are set by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Obesity contributes to health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. High cholesterol leads to the accumulation of plaque in the arteries that will put the child at a higher risk of a heart attack or stroke later in life. Diabetes and high blood pressure cause damage to the internal organs. Other causes of concern are hormonal imbalances, sleep disorders and breathing problems. It also makes the obese child more susceptible to bullying by peers and prone to depression. Causes and Solutions Two factors contributing to childhood obesity are unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise. The tendency to eat fast foods that are high in calories, fat and salt contribute to the health problems. High sugared beverages are also a culprit. Parents can help by planning meals from a healthy food list that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. Making sure children drinking plenty of water will help them get to a healthier weight goal. Children spend hours in front of the computer or television set and do not get enough exercise. Exercise is very important to weight loss and achieving good physical, mental and psychological health. The family, by setting regular mealtimes and exercising together, can help eradicate this childhood problem.

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