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Our
children are getting fatter
The
number of overweight children in the USA has
increased by almost 300% in the last 20 years.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure and high
cholesterol are occurring more often in overweight
children. And type 2 diabetes, previously most
commonly found in obese or overweight women and men,
has increased alarmingly in children.
The chances are that nearly three-quarters of fat
children or teens will be overweight when they
become adults. And the odds are even higher if one
or both parents are overweight too.
The risks associated with excess weight are well
known, and include high blood pressure, diabetes
(type 2), heart disease and cancer.
But there is another factor that is seldom
considered, and has perhaps an even greater effect
on the mental attitude of the child. Overweight
children are often discriminated against socially,
leading to depression or low self esteem.
Why are some people
overweight and others aren’t?
We’ve all seen it. Some people can eat as much as
they like, and they never seem to change weight at
all. Others seem to add ponds every day. So what are
the causes of obesity?
There are two main causes of obesity in children…
The lifestyles of children have changed dramatically
over the past quarter century. Instead of playing
outdoors, more and more children sit around playing
computer games or watching TV.
Nearly half of our children watch over Two hours of
TV every day and many children become less active as
they become teens.
Is your child’s weight
healthy?
If you think your child is overweight,
and particularly if there are other risk factors
involved, get them checked out by your doctor. He
will help you determine the BMI or Body Mass Index
of your child and help you determine whether you
should do something about it. Let’s face it, though,
if you think your child is overweight, he or she
probably is!
Weight and height are used to calculate the BMI, or
Body Mass Index, which is used to calculate whether
someone is overweight.
Overweight children
need moral support
Most
important of all, children need the love and support
of their parents, friends and siblings. They can
often feel embarrassed by the weight and looks,
which leads to low self esteem and under-performance
in their studies and general attitude to life.
Encourage them to live a healthy life, getting some
exercise, sticking to a healthy and balanced diet,
avoiding junk food. Of Course, children follow the
habits of the parents, so you can’t carry on eating
badly and expect them to eat healthy. You have to
set the example. If you are obese, or overweight,
you have to show them that you are making the effort
too. In fact, this can work to your advantage. Make
it a fun thing, a friendly competition to see who
can lose the most weight over a set period.
Exercise for a healthy body
and a healthy mind
Start a family
exercise programme where you play games together, or
go for a jog together. And it doesn’t have to be for
long. Did you know that jet fighter pilots are only
required to run two miles every day? Two miles is
not that much. If you can’t run at first, walk the
two miles, slowly at first, and increasing to a
brisk walk as soon as you feel ready. Then move on
to jogging when you can. Don’t force it. You’ll be
amazed at what a little exercise can do for your
mental attitude too. There’s a great sense of
achievement, and you children will love it after a
week or two.
Fitness specialists recommend that children should
get about an hour of light physical activity a few
days a week, while adults should get a half-hour.
For younger children, this should be easy. Normal
playing around the garden or house is fine. Older
children or teens may be more of a challenge as
their “activities” are often mare sedentary –
watching TV or video games.
A healthy diet and exercise can work wonders. But of
course along with that, a healthy dose of self
discipline is also needed. It’s no good trying to
stick to a good diet and exercise, then crashing off
every few days with piles of fatty hamburgers or
pizzas. Rather sign up for a recognized weight loss
program. You’ll be amazed how your discipline
increases when you’ve spent money!
Elsewhere on this site we revue a number of
weight-loss and fat loss programs that are worth
looking at.
The dangers of
being overweight or obese
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