State your health » Obesity

Childhood Obesity

Editor — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:05:11 +0000

Childhood obesity is on the rise so much so that it’s common to hear the issue referred to as an epidemic – a charge which is hard to refute when the Center for Disease Control and Prevention statistics state that 20% of American children and adolescence are either overweight or obese. Although there are genetic variables in some cases, most of the time childhood obesity is the result of a family lifestyle of inactivity and over eating.

Obesity: Children at Risk

It’s shocking to read that obesity begins in infancy and that the issues should be addressed among even the smallest of children; however this does not mean that babies should be placed on a diet. In fact, restricting calories during this crucial time of growth and development can have serious implications. Instead, the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends breastfeeding when possible.

Studies reveal that American infants receive mother’s milk for an average of six months. Breastfeeding boosts the infants immune system protecting them from illness, reducing the odds of developing allergies, and is beneficial for the baby’s growth and development. In addition, studies suggest that children who are breastfeed during their first six months of life have a 22% less chance of becoming overweight or obese.

Those who do become overweight and obese have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure, high blood sugar, diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease. In addition, overweight children regularly suffer from poor self-esteem and depression.

Restoring the Health of Obese and Overweight Children

It’s common for both physician and parent to consider placing obese and overweight children on a diet; however studies show that families who improve their nutrition and physical activity together achieve more lasting results. Although the mental and physical risks associated with obesity are significant, it is important that a slow and methodical approach be taken as drastic changes are often short lived.

Improving overall health includes:

Nutrition: The prevalence of fast food restaurants, vending machines, and supermarket convenience foods is contributing to the obesity epidemic among both children and adults. Restoring health begins by recognizing changes your family is able to make, setting family goals, and building on them.

Goals might include breakfast, which is critical for improving nutrition and restoring health long term. Consider replacing sugar-laden sodas with water or other low sugar, low calorie beverage. Another goal might include eating fast food one fewer times each week. Once these goals are a natural part of family life, continue building healthy habits by setting new goals.

You might also improve nutrition by supplementing with a quality multivitamin. In addition, some herbal remedies including green tea and dandelion tea are effective for weight loss though they may not be safe for children. Always check with a trusted healthcare provider before giving your child herbal remedies.

Activity: Taking a walk together as a family after dinner or on the weekend is a great way to increase the amount of activity of the whole family. Once this becomes a habit, add to it so that the family continues to build its level of physical activity.

Sleep: An Australian study found that children under 13 years of age who slept fewer than 9 hours each night were at greater risk of becoming obese. Seventeen additional studies around the world support these findings and discovered that kids under five need a minimum of 11 hours of sleep a night while those under ten need 10 hours of sleep each night.

The studies further discovered that those who received two fewer hours were twice as likely to become obese while those who received one fewer hours of sleep each night were 9% more likely to become obese. To improve sleep the AAP recommends no more than two hours of media intake each day. Researchers suggest removing the tv, computer, cellphones, and video games from your child’s bedroom as well as earlier bedtimes and reading before bed.

Childhood obesity has serious physical and emotional risks that can play children for life. To achieve lasting change it is best to tackle nutrition, physical activity, and sleep issues together as a family.

Obesity In Teens – A Growing Epidemic

Editor — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:15:04 +0000

Today's lifestyle with modern technology offers little to improve one's health. Computers come equipped with games and gaming consoles are all the craze. Teens are now sitting in front of the computer or television for hours at a time. Obesity in teens is at an all time high and the rates are rising every year. Some studies suggest that as many as 33% of teens are now obese. The United States is a top leader in obesity in teens; not a statistic to be proud of.

Many factors come into play in this growing epidemic. Teens are much less active today than they were ten years ago. The have traded in skating for the latest gaming console. They can sit and watch television while text messaging their friends. Many teens now own their own car so they hit the drive through on the way home from school. Some studies show that teens will eat fast food an average of four times per week.

Obesity In Teens – Looking At The Cause

There are several factors to consider when looking at obesity in teens. If there is a family history of obesity the chances are high the teen will become obese. With both parents working, teens tend to develop poor eating habits when left to their own devices. There may be stressful events in the teen's life such as divorce, death, or even abuse. Many teens react to stress by overeating. There may also be medical problems which require the teen to take medication such as steroids, although medical problems represent only about 1% of teenage obesity.

Searching For Relief

Obesity in teens usually means obesity when they become adults. Obese teens are literally taking years off of their life. They are setting the stage for cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and breathing problems. While depression can often cause overeating, being obese can also cause depression. Teens are under extreme peer pressure at school and in their everyday lives. Depression can lead to low self-esteem, and if left untreated, can lead to teen suicide. It is very important for parents to get a handle on this problem before it gets started.

Radical dieting by teens is not recommended because they are still growing and need plenty of nutrients to develop strong bones. Dieting also leads to failure because there are very few people who can stick with a diet for life. When preparing meals at home be sure to select foods that have a high nutritional content. Avoid fried and processed foods. Get the teen involved in preparing the meal. Teach them how to eat a healthy, balanced meal without sacrificing on taste. Try to limit their time in front of the television. Get them involved in some kind of physical activity such as gardening or washing the car. In the summer they can mow the yard. Plan family outings that require physical activity such as swimming or hiking on the local nature trails.

It is important to remember to show your teen support. Obesity in teens is a serious problem and parents need to tackle this problem with love and support. Reinforce the need for a healthy lifestyle and offer rewards and praise when they reach goals. Keeping your teen healthy gives them the best chance of living a long and healthy life.

Childhood Obesity Facts Are Not Painting A Flattering Picture Of The Present Or Of The Future

Editor — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:30:07 +0000

It has been noticed that, over the past twenty years, the rates of obesity in children have seen a gradual rise in many countries of the world, and has led researchers to term it as an 'international epidemic of childhood obesity'. The childhood obesity facts that have come to light over ten years from 1985 to 1995 are, it is believed, showing that in Australia, the number of obese children has more than doubled, and at the same time, there has been a tripling of obesity in all age groups of children of either sex.

An Alarming Proportion Of Children Are Obese

As more and more childhood obesity facts come to light, an alarming picture is being drawn in which, it is believed, that in 1995, the proportion of obese children was twenty-one percent in the case of boys and twenty-three percent in the case girls. There has also been dramatic increase in the case of teenagers, and this rate of childhood obesity in Australian kids seems to be accelerating sharply.

The case of childhood obesity in the US is no less alarming, and according to childhood obesity facts for this country, there has been more than a doubling of obesity in preschool children as well as in adolescents aged between twelve and nineteen years of age. In the case of children aged between six and eleven years, this figure has tripled and it is believed that, at present, there are as many as nine million children aged six or above that are obese.

With more childhood obesity facts coming to light, it seems that the trend of childhood obesity is increasing and they are the same in the international sphere as well. Obesity continues to affect children throughout the world irrespective of whether it is a developing country, developed or under-developed country. Other childhood obesity facts show that along with the increase in obesity prevalence, the heavy groups are becoming heavier while the lean groups of children are staying lean. This shows that there has been little change in childhood obesity over time.

Other childhood obesity facts show that almost sixty percent of obese children aged between five and ten years have a minimum of one cardiovascular disease risk factor, and twenty-five percent had two or more risk cardiovascular disease risk factors. Also, childhood obesity facts point us in the direction that, for children born in the US in 2000, the lifetime risk of being diagnosed with type II diabetes is around thirty percent for boys and forty percent for girls, and this figure rises in the case of ethnic minority groups. Not a very rosy picture!

Research on Obesity Provides Insights and Answers

Editor — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 00:15:07 +0000

Research on obesity has increased recently for obesity is a problem in the United States and in other places around the world. The percentage of children, teenagers and adults who can be classified as obese has increased recently, and the problem is very detrimental to the health of many people. The research on obesity has yielded statistics on the dimensions of the problem. The dire statistics have prompted further research on the reasons for these problems and the solutions to the problems. The dramatic findings of the research on obesity have focused the attention of parents, educators, physicians and politicians on the problem of obesity in the country.

The research on obesity has shown that children and teenagers are more obese today than ever before. The grim statistics show that the number of young people who can be classified as obese continues to increase. The research on obesity has demonstrated that the problems with children and teenagers stem from poor nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle. Many parents and schools now offer more nutritious meals for the students and encourage the students to participate in some activity. The politicians have tried to procure more money to help the parents and schools provide activities for the young people. Hopefully some of these efforts will help the children and teenagers find a better lifestyle.

Research on Obesity Helps Adults to Better Fitness

Research on obesity has shown that the problems for adults are just as dire as those for the young people. There is a bigger percentage of adults classified as obese than ever before. There are adults whose health is very bad because of obesity. Research on obesity shows that many adults are suffering because of their obesity. Medical professionals show that adults who are obese have a greater chance for heart disease, diabetes and stroke. These adults also suffer from mobility problems because it is harder to get around if one is obese.

Research on obesity has shown the problem, but this research has also shown some of the solutions. Diet and exercise are very important to reducing obesity. The researchers who have pointed out the problem have also offered information to combat the problem. Nutritionists have shown people how to have a more nutritious diet which will help them reduce obesity. Medical professionals have provided information on exercise that can help people combat obesity. Other medical professionals have provided some more drastic measures like gastric bypass surgery for those that are morbidly obese.

Teenage Obesity – The Silent Killer

Editor — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 03:00:06 +0000

Obesity continues to rise with about 15% of the target audience being teens. With both parents working in a fast-paced world teens often have to make their own food choices. Most of them prefer "junk food" they can grab while watching television or playing video games. Lack of physical activity largely contributes to the growing problem.

Teenage obesity usually leads to adult obesity. While it is rare that teens experience the health problems associated with obesity, they need to be aware that those problems are likely to appear at some point in their life. Studies have shown that severely obese young females could lose an average of four to eight years off their normal life expectancy. For males in the same age group the numbers are much higher at twelve to twenty years.

Teenage Obesity And Discrimination

Teens who are obese face ridicule from their peers. During the teenage years physical beauty is of great importance. Youth magazines flaunt petite girls along with muscular, well built males. The clothing market directed at the youth generally does not offer fashionable clothing for obese teens. This alone can lead to low self-esteem.

The most popular girls and boys are nearly always small and attractive. Studies have shown that the overweight teen is more likely to be the subject bullying and name-calling. This can lead to social withdrawal, unhappiness, and can even go as far as causing mental illness. Teenage obesity often leads to teenage depression. Depression is listed as one of the top causes for teen suicide.

Teenage Obesity – The Solution

Parents have a responsibility to teach and guide their children, including teaching them proper nutrition. Eating habits that are formed during the teen years are likely to carry over into adulthood. Offer healthy snacks such as yogurt, popcorn, nuts, low fat chips, and fresh fruit. Avoid fried foods at meals and offer as many fresh vegetables as possible. Discourage sugary drinks and teach the importance of plenty of water.

Encourage your teen to stay active. Give them chores such as helping in the garden or washing the car. Take family hikes on local nature trails or visit the zoo. Bicycling and swimming are other family oriented activities which can help to reduce a sedentary lifestyle.

One final note to make is to always show your love. Encourage your teen to make the right choices and give them your full support. Be a good role model and focus on providing the proper nutrition at your family meals. Encourage activity and plan family outings that involve some sort of physical participation. Understand that teenage obesity needs to be addressed early in life in order to prevent complications when they reach adulthood.

Fast Food And Obesity – The Epidemic

Editor — Mon, 02 May 2011 22:30:08 +0000

For many, fast food is a way of life. It is fast and easy to place your order, then pull up to the window and pick it up. Breakfast might be a sausage and biscuit with an order of hash brown potatoes. The fast food biscuit is usually dripping with margarine, or even worse, lard. The amount of trans fat alone is enough to cause arterial damage. Lunch might consist of a 1/4 pound bacon cheeseburger, an order of fries, and a drink. Tell them to super size that and you could easily consume over 1,600 calories for just one meal. That is more calories than most people need to eat for the entire day.

It is little wonder that fast food and obesity go hand in hand. The typical fast food meal consists of low quality carbohydrates, high levels of saturated fat, white bread, and a sugary soda. Fast food also has a relatively low fiber content. This eating pattern is exactly the opposite of what is recommended for optimal health. Experts on fast food and obesity say there is now an alarming rate of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in the United States. These numbers have continued to rise at an alarming rate during the past few years.

Studies have shown that eating as little as two fast food meals a week can increase the chances of obesity by 50%. Most people today eat fast food three or more times a week. Fast food is not only cheap and convenient, it tastes good, making it harder to resist. It contains high levels of sodium, oil, refined sugar, and refined flour. This combination alone can be harmful to your health as well as cause obesity.

Fast Food And Obesity – The Risk For Diabetes

Being overweight alone increases the risk of developing type II diabetes but studies show that consuming fast food on a regular basis adds to this risk. The high carbohydrate content of fast food puts an added strain on the body's ability to produce insulin. With this continued strain the body loses the ability to produce the amount of insulin needed to deal with the high sugar levels produced after a meal.

Fast food and obesity usually goes hand in hand with a sedentary lifestyle. People are spending more time in front of the television and less time being active. Without activity we are unable to burn off the calories consumed during the course of the day. This leads to increased sugar levels and blocked arteries. Medical professionals say that fast food and obesity, along with a sedentary lifestyle, are rapidly becoming one of the top causes for type II diabetes and coronary artery disease.

Dealing With Morbid Obesity

Editor — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 23:15:09 +0000

Morbid obesity is a problem facing six million adults in America, according to the 2000 Census. This is a staggering number! This serious disease poses health risks to those who have it, and needs to be dealt with as soon as possible.

What Is Morbid Obesity

Morbid obesity is much different than simply being overweight. Morbid obesity is considered a clinical disease where the body has too much fat, and it affects every aspect of life, including mobility and health. The clinical definition of morbid obesity is having a body mass index of forty. This typically means being overweight by one hundred or more pounds.

Causes Of Morbid Obesity

Morbid obesity has many causes, some of which are complex and not totally understood. It seems to be that genetics plays some part in this disease. Those with a family history of morbid obesity are much more likely to struggle with it than those who do not. That being said, too much intake of food coupled with a sedentary lifestyle is one common cause of the disease, and this has nothing to do with genetics. Also, the eating habits one has as a child can lead to problems in adult life.

Health Risks Associated With Morbid Obesity

Morbid obesity is more than just a cosmetic issue. Those with the disease are at a high risk of having heart disease, including heart attacks and high blood pressure. There seems to be an indication that the disease can increase the risk of cancer as well. Diabetes is a common health problem that comes from being overweight, and morbid obesity is the worst kind of overweight condition. Because of the excess body weight, many suffering from this disease also suffer from joint and muscle problems. The lungs also have trouble when someone is terribly overweight.

What Can Be Done About It?

There are many options for treating morbid obesity. The first course of treatment is usually lifestyle intervention. The diet of the patient is studied, along with the exercise that he or she gets. Often a low calorie diet that is strictly monitored is the first course of action. Sometimes weight loss medicine has to be brought in to speed up the process. Counseling is often necessary as well, since there can be serious emotional problems surrounding the cause of the obesity. If these methods do not work, or if the obesity is considered life threatening, some doctors will perform bariatric surgery, which makes the stomach smaller and helps the body want less food. This type of surgery is considered a last resort, and is not always successful.

Obesity Surgery for Rapid and Dramatic Weight Loss

Editor — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 07:30:05 +0000

Obesity is a condition that affects one in every three adults in this country. While there are many factors that can contribute to obesity, the treatment will generally consist of weight loss from one method or another. Most doctors will begin obesity treatment with a diet and exercise program, and counseling when necessary. If these methods are not effective at reducing the pounds, or if the condition is extremely severe with accompanying health issues, a doctor may recommend obesity surgery as a treatment. The result of obesity surgery is generally rapid and dramatic weight loss, with up to 50 percent of the excess weight lost in the first year or two after surgery. If the obesity surgery is performed in tandem with diet and exercise counseling, the long term results can be excellent as well.

Types of Obesity Surgery

There are two basic types of obesity surgery that a doctor can perform. The first consists of surgery within the stomach, and is called vertical banded gastroplasty. In this procedure, the stomach is stapled to divide it into two areas: a smaller upper pouch where food will enter the stomach; and a larger pouch below, where food will come in through a dime-sized opening from the upper pouch. The idea behind this procedure is to limit the amount of food that enters the stomach. It also keeps food in the upper pouch of the stomach for longer periods of time, allowing the patient to feel full longer and consequently eat less. The success rate for this type of obesity surgery is high, since up to 80% of patients will lose weight, and about 30% will reach their optimum weight loss goal.

The other common type of obesity surgery is called a gastric bypass. This procedure combines the effects of limiting the amount of food into the stomach with the addition of a bypass from the stomach to a lower part of the small intestine. This bypass effectively reduces the number of calories in food that are absorbed into the body, since the area of the digestive system that is responsible for this absorption is largely missed. The results of a bypass surgery are even better than the gastroplasty, since the two procedures are combined for maximum effect. Not only does the patient take in less food, his body ends up absorbing fewer calories without harming the overall effectiveness of the digestive system.

While these obesity surgeries can boast a high success rate with many patients, there are side effects of either procedure to consider. Keep in mind that any type of surgery carries risks such as blood clots and infection. Overeating after one of these procedures can lead to nausea and other symptoms, especially in the early stages after the surgery is complete. If you think that you might be a candidate for obesity surgery, it is important to talk to your doctor about which procedure might be the best for you.

What Is Obesity? It Certainly Is A Health Problem Concerning Overly Overweight Persons

Editor — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 14:15:05 +0000

Obesity may be thought of as having so much extra body weight that it becomes harmful to the health of the person, and puts him or her in danger, which may lead to type II diabetes, heart diseases, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, arthritis as well as stroke. With such serious consequences to be faced, it becomes imperative for an obese person to immediately lose weight, even if he or she does not feel bad at the moment.

Bad Eating Habits That Should Be Curtailed Immediately

What obesity is can be attributed to bad eating habits which would require a planned effort to overcome. Obesity is a result of too much of accumulation of fat which is far in excess of what the body's skeletal and physical standards permit. When a person exceeds by twenty percent the ideal body weight, one may be certain that it is a case of obesity.

When one wonders what obesity is, one will no doubt be told that it means having an unhealthy amount of body fat. No doubt, we all are in need of body fat, but an excess of it will lead to health problems, which can be measured by a tool referred to as Body Mass Index or BMI, which allows a person to estimate total body fat.

The main cause of obesity is certainly eating too much and/or not exercising enough or being generally inactive. Extra calories that are not burnt up through exercises or physical activities translate into fat, and when this fat becomes excessive, one will become obese. Obesity can also be due to factors such as genes, with obesity tending to run in families, metabolic rates or how the body processes food, ethnicity as well as age. These factors all contribute in our understanding of what obesity is and how to prevent and reverse it.

To ascertain what obesity is one may need to determine, by using weight and height to calculate a number known as Body Mass Index (BMI), which correlates with the amount of body fat in a person. Typically, an adult who has a BMI of thirty or more will be considered obese. BMI is one tool to indicate potential health risks that are associated with obesity. There are other methods of ascertaining what obesity is and these include the individual's circumference as also risk factors that could affect the person's health in the form of diseases and high blood pressure or physical inactivity.

Obesity In Children – A Growing Problem

Editor — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 22:45:06 +0000

There are rising numbers of children who have obesity problems. Obesity in children usually means obesity when they become teens and adults. Families today live life in the fast lane and many don't take the time to prepare healthy meals for their children. It is not unusual for children to eat fast food meals three to four times a week. This, along with a sedentary lifestyle, is causing obesity to rise at an alarming rate.

Prevention Is The Answer

For those of you who have children you know that putting a child on a diet is an impossibility. The medical profession does not recommend dieting and losing weight as an option for treating obesity in children. Children are growing at a fast rate and need healthy nutrition in order to develop strong bones and muscle. For this reason it is important to take measures to prevent obesity instead of trying to treat it later. If a child is already obese, it is best to try to stop the process and allow the child to grow into a healthy weight.

If there is obesity in the family the chances are high the child will also develop obesity. Dealing with obesity in children requires teaching the child at an early age about good nutrition. Make family meals that have a high nutritional content. Do not try to take away foods the child loves; allow the child to eat those foods on a less frequent basis. Denying a child's favorite foods will only lead to failure. Help the child understand why they cannot eat those foods everyday. When the child is old enough, let the child get involved in meal planning. You can coach them to make the correct choices while making the planning process a fun activity.

Getting Active

Obesity in children is often the result of too little activity. After attending school all week children feel they should be allowed to sleep late on the weekend. Many of them watch cartoons from their bed. Activity is considered to be as important as good nutrition. If children are encouraged to develop regular activity when they are young they have a much better chance of taking it with them into adulthood. Plan family functions that require physical activity. Let your child pick which activity they like best.

There are many reasons why preventing obesity should be a family goal. Obesity in children can lead to a wide myriad of health problems when they become teens or adults. Overweight children often face ridicule at school. This can lead to depression and low self-esteem. Being obese increases the chances of developing type II diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and joint disease. Teaching the child how to live a healthy lifestyle can add years to the child's life.

The Definition of Obesity Is not Set in Stone

Editor — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 02:30:03 +0000

When you see an obese person, you will know that they are obese, but the definition of obese differs for certain purposes. The basic dictionary definition of obesity explains that it describes someone who is overweight. There are further explanations in other dictionaries that add that the weight has been accumulated because a person has eaten too much fat. There are synonyms included in some definitions of obesity that include words like corpulent or fleshiness. The definition of obesity is straightforward in many dictionaries of the English language.

There are other definitions of obesity for other purposes. There is now a surgical procedure that staples or bands the patient's stomach so they cannot eat too much. The surgeons that do this operation often demand that the person is morbidly obese before they will perform these procedures. The surgeons often think that this procedure is somewhat risky so only those with great problems with their weight should risk this surgery. The definition for morbidly obese for the purposes of this surgery is usually one hundred pounds over weight. Many of the people that undergo this surgery are more than one hundred pounds overweight.

The Definition of Obesity Depends on the Context

Some experts and organizations have more complicated definitions of obesity. These definitions of obesity could go on for pages and some are used for very specific reasons. Some medical professionals accept certain definitions, and then these people base some of their medical prescriptions on the definition of obesity. Other medical experts respect these experts and use their definitions of obesity as a starting point for treatment. Many of the experts agree that the definition of obesity depends on the lifestyle of the patient. The patients often end up obese because they eat too much food and do not exercise enough to burn off the excess calories.

Some organizations provide tables of heights and weights and show the desirable combination of those two factors. There is a relatively new figure that is called body mass index (BMI). There is a calculation provided to figure the BMI and this is cross-referenced with a definition of the status of the desirable outcomes. The definition of obesity is often a term used in these tables. These guidelines are used to inform people and medical professionals about acceptable weights for people. Obesity is a condition that is not beneficial to any human being. These definitions and statistics should help people decide on healthy goals for their weight.

Reducing Child Obesity from Fast Food with Healthy Diets and More Exercise

Editor — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 03:45:01 +0000

Drive-through dinners consisting of hamburgers, chicken nuggets and soda has become the mainstay for many American families today. Unfortunately, too much of a convenient thing has left many in an obese and unhealthy state. One in three adults in this country is considered obese, and the number suffering from this condition is not restricted to adults only. Child obesity from fast food and other factors is also on the rise at an alarming rate. If parents do not teach children the principles of healthy eating at a young age, child obesity from fast food, lack of exercise and other causes will continue to be a health problem in this country.

Health Risks of Obesity

There are many health risks that can be the result of obesity. These problems can include high blood pressure, diabetes, and coronary artery disease. While children may not see these health problems early in life, child obesity from fast food and other causes can certainly contribute to these types of issues later on. Not only is fast food a contributor to child obesity, but studies have found that families that eat more fast food also tend to keep less healthy food choices in the pantry at home. Statistics suggest that these families have a higher amount of salty foods like potato chips available for snacking, and less fresh fruits and vegetables. Unhealthy food choices seem to beget more of the same.

How does Fast Food Relate to Child Obesity?

Fast food packs on a higher number of calories and a larger amount of fat with each serving. Nearly one-third of all of the kids in this country consume fast food every day, which will add an average of 187 calories to a child's daily intake and could add up to six pounds of weight each year. Keep in mind that this is not necessarily healthy weight, given the nutritional make-up of most fast food fare. After studying the numbers, it is easy to see why child obesity from fast food is such a concern among nutritionists as well as doctors. These numbers can go even higher with adolescent children, since many teens can hit the fast food chains on their own – and choose to do so rather frequently.

What can be Done?

It is important for parents to limit the amount of fast food that their children eat. This doesn't mean that you must avoid it altogether – sometimes a quick run to a drive-through is the best chance for a meal on a really busy evening. The key is in limiting those days as much as possible, and keeping plenty of healthy options at home to offset the negative impact of those burgers and fries. With vigilant parenting and healthy food options available, child obesity from fast food may become a less frequent health problem.

The Impact Of Child Obesity

Editor — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:00:09 +0000

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. The best way to measure for 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, this should be done by someone who has been trained on how to use the instrument.

What About Chunky Babies?

Many moms who have chunky babies worry that their little cherubs will grow up to have problems with child obesity. There does not seem to be an indication that being chunky as an infant means the child will continue to be overweight. Many babies who are breast fed become quite chunky before they start crawling. Child obesity around four or five is a better indication of future problems.

What Causes Child Obesity?

Children who take in more calories than they burn through growth and physical activities will store those calories as fat. Children who have a large imbalance in calories taken in versus calories burned will have problems with child obesity. And because children learn their eating behaviors primarily from their parents, those with obese parents often turn into obese children.

Children who spend a lot of time in front of the 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 while watching television. Video games are another culprit.

There does seem to be a hereditary cause for child obesity as well. This explains why two kids with identical sedentary lifestyles can have extremely different body mass index measurements. Heredity seems to affect metabolism and the body's tendency to store fat. Those who have hereditary risks for child obesity simply need to be more aware of their caloric intake and level of physical activity.

Preventing Childhood Obesity

If you are a parent, you should make preventing obesity in your child your number one priority, as it leads to life long healthy living. Starting in infancy, children's tastes are being developed. Children who are breastfed have less likelihood of becoming obese. Perhaps this is because they are less likely to be pushed to finish the bottle, and also because breast milk is the perfect balance of fat and calories for the growing infant. As children start solids, they should be encouraged to eat low sugar foods, not the sugary snacks so prevalent today! These steps will help prevent the onset of child obesity, and help parents raise happy, healthy children.

Obesity In Teenagers Is A Growing Problem That Can Only Worsen

Editor — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:45:07 +0000

Obesity in teenagers is a growing problem that has become worse in recent times and teenagers need to do something to control it, fast. What makes matters worse is that obesity in teenagers will lead to their becoming overweight when they reach adulthood unless they take to healthy lifestyles and exercise as well as control their eating habits.

Is Not A Few Extra Pounds Of Weight

Obesity does not mean a few extra pounds, though it portends to gaining weight easily, and requires changes in diet as well as taking exercise. Obesity in teenagers may result when the teenager has more than ten percent extra weight over that what is recommended for that particular height and weight. According to studies conducted on obesity in teenagers, it was found that teenagers aged between ten and thirteen would have an eighty percent chance of becoming obese adults.

Overweight children and teenagers in particular, may not be as affected physically as psychologically with them becoming targets of taunts, ridicule as well as poor treatment meted out to them by other children at school as well as in the community. In addition, it may also result in not only others putting them down, but also their own self-esteem taking a hit. It has been found that a sizeable percentage of overweight kids and teenagers are thought to be clinically depressed.

To control obesity in teenagers, the teenager may need to take a healthy as well as balanced diet, and according to studies; frequent dieting in teenagers may inhibit their growth and may result in long term weight gain as well. Nevertheless, there are weight loss summer camps open for teenagers that have been designed by leading researchers as well as clinicians to maximize the behavioral change over long-term that should help cause substantial and permanent weight loss.

Obesity in teenagers will occur when their total energy intake or calories consumed is greater that the total energy expended, which is the energy the teenagers uses up during physical activity. There are supposedly more than forty different medical or psychological problems that affect nearly every organ in the body, and its treatment should focus on long-term changes to diet as well as exercise, and family support should be forthcoming if the teenager is to avoid dramatic swings in body weight.

It is believed that more than twenty-eight percent of schoolchildren are overweight and in fact, obese, and nearly a fourth of them are at risk of getting diabetes, heart disease, stroke as well as possibly early death. The incidence of obesity in teenagers is around twenty percent in the US. It is clear that obesity in teenagers is a major cause of concern which needs to be addressed as early as possible if any degree of control is to be brought back into the life of affected teenagers.

The Media Presents Evidence of Childhood Obesity Epidemic

Editor — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:30:11 +0000

Television programs and newspaper articles constantly provide information on a childhood obesity epidemic. A former President and a current governor have taken an active role in raising concern about the possibility of a childhood obesity epidemic. Health professionals around the country have voiced serious concerns about the childhood obesity epidemic. Nutritionists have spoken about the poor eating habits of the children of the country, and these experts have made many suggestions for improving the eating habits of the children in the country. Doctors and nurses have also noted the trends, and their concerns about a childhood obesity epidemic.

Other professionals that are experts on the physical fitness of children around the country have expressed their fear that the children do not get enough physical exercise. These professionals note that children do not get to play as much at school, and they do not have activities after school to get exercise. The physical education people believe that children do not go out to ride their bikes as their parents and grandparents used to do. Many of the professionals agree that the children spend too much time watching television and playing games on computers. The children today have many distractions that keep them sedentary that were not available to children in the past.

The Evidence of a Childhood Obesity Epidemic Is Frightening

There is unfortunately evidence that the childhood obesity epidemic is a reality. Statistics show some frightening trends in the rising number of children who are considered obese. The number of children who can be classified as obese has doubled in the last thirty years. These classifications are made through medically accepted standards. Twenty percent of the children are classified as overweight. The statistics show that children and adolescents are all in danger of being part of an obesity epidemic. The statistics also show that the childhood obesity epidemic affects children from all ethnic backgrounds. Girls and boys are equally affected by obesity according to the available information.

The effects of obesity include an increase in diseases such as childhood diabetes. The children who are overweight when young tend to grow up to be overweight adults, and this means they are more likely to suffer from heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. Overweight children tend to suffer psychologically as well as physically. These children are teased and bullied more often than their thinner peers. Their self-esteem also suffers from the negative treatment they receive because they are obese.

Obesity In America: What Needs To Be Done?

Editor — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:45:01 +0000

There is no question that obesity in America is on the rise. After all, just go to the mall and you will see many, many overweight people. Why is obesity in America such a problem, when it is not an issue in many of our sister countries? What can be done to fight this problem?

Lifestyle Causes

Part of the reason that obesity in America is such an epidemic is because we are a food driven society. Turn on the television for five minutes and you will be bombarded with advertisements for food, restaurants, sugary drinks, and more! Drive down the road and an enormous hamburger will be staring back at you from a billboard. There is simply too much food to choose from in America, and we eat far more than we should.

When you combine this overeating problem with the fact that the American lifestyle has become one of sitting on the couch, behind the computer screen, and in our cars, and you can easily see why obesity in America is on the rise.

In many foreign countries, people do not drive from place to place unless they have to. When the destination is close enough, they walk. Part of the reason for this is the high price of gasoline, and the close proximity of everything in a city. This is not the case in America, which leads to a problem with weight. Americans drive everywhere! If an American can avoid walking, he does! After all, why have a car if you are not going to use it, right?

Treating Obesity In America

The best way to treat obesity in America is through education. The American public needs to be better informed about what food choices they should be making. Restaurants should offer smaller portions to the health conscious individual. People need to learn what simple carbohydrates and saturated fats do to their bodies, so they can make informed decisions about the foods they choose to eat.

Another way to treat obesity in America is to get people walking! Walking is an exercise that just about anyone can do, from the small child to the grandparent. Simply increasing your walking each day can help you shed the pounds quickly and easily. In other words, park in the far parking place when you can, and take the stairs, not the escalator. Once Americans get off the couch and start moving, obesity in America will start to decline.

What Are The Causes Of Obesity? Simply Put, Overeating And Underexercising

Editor — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 08:31:55 +0000

The root cause of what the causes of obesity are fairly simple, and can be attributed to taking in more calories than can be consumed on a daily basis. This imbalance results in weight gain and will differ from person to person because of pre-existing factors such as genetics, health issues as well as mobility (or lack of it).

Like A Checking Account

The intake as well as using up of calories can be likened to a checking account in which both sides should be balanced in order not to gain weight. The food that we eat and the beverages that we drink are all rich in calories, and if these calories are not burnt or used up, they will contribute to weight gain and is what causes obesity in people.

There are nevertheless, certain factors in weight gain over which one does not have much control over including certain illnesses such as Cushing's disease that lends itself to weight gain. Also, some medications like steroids and antidepressants can also lead to weight gain and can be considered to be causes of obesity.

Besides, genetics, environmental factors, physical inactivity as well as psychological issues also contribute to weight gain and may be what the causes of obesity are. Even though the main cause of obesity is underlying disorders, nevertheless, it is also closely related to lifestyles as well. There are two basic issues when one considers what the causes of obesity are, and these include too much food and too little activity.

When a person consumes high calorie diets from processed foods as well as fats, it is easy to become obese, and along with sedentary lifestyles and inadequate exercise, the problem is further compounded. Genetic factors have been found to be a contributing factor in what the causes of obesity are, and people that have a family tendency to be obese are also likely to contract the malady.

Though genes do not destine people to become obese, environment too plays a role in what the causes of obesity are. Americans are prone to eating high-fat foods and prefer taste as well as convenience ahead of nutrition, and the problem is further compounded when they do not exercise enough.

Psychological factors also contribute to what the causes of obesity are, and many people are prone to eating in response to negative emotions like being bored, feeling sad or being angry. Though most obese persons may not have psychological problems, still as many as ten percent (it is believed) of people that are mildly obese and who try to lose weight thanks to commercial weight loss programs, will suffer from binge eating disorder and the problem is even more pronounced in severely obese persons.

What the causes of obesity are can also be viewed as being a lack of willpower, weakness or a lifestyle choice of overeating and not exercising enough.

There Is No Doubting The Fact That Fast Food Causes Obesity

Editor — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 09:48:34 +0000

With its high caloric density, fast food does cause obesity and, before you know it, you will have overeaten and put on weight. Fast food may be compared with a bowl of nuts, which has a lot more energy than you may be aware of, which leaves your appetite active even after the stomach has become physically full. In the end, you really have no idea how many calories you have actually consumed.

Temptation Is Too Great

In a similar vein, fast food restaurants are tempting people to consume more calories than they intended, and the high density of junk food that contains a high degree of calories with respect to its weight causes the appetite control system in the brain to become confused since it bases its responses on the size of the portion rather than the energy content. There is thus a strong case that fast food causes obesity.

It has also been observed that those who consume fast food twice a week or more will put on ten pounds of weight or more within at least a year and they are also twice as likely to develop insulin resistance that is directly linked with diabetes. What more needs to be said regarding fast food causing obesity? Furthermore, there have been countless studies that prove that fast foods are of poor nutritional value. To make matters worse, fast food outlets have increased the portions and so compounded the already high caloric content of such foods.

Perhaps to save face, some fast food chains are beginning to serve up healthier foods such as salads, fruits, as well as bottled water, rather than sodas. However, this seems to be a rather weak response, even though it is a step in the right direction. But, it does show that even the fast food chains acknowledge that fast food causes obesity.

Such is the danger faced by fast food consumers that even eating fast food twice a week or more causes an extra ten pounds of weight added to the body. It is indeed clinching evidence that fast food causes obesity. And, this sorry and sad state of affairs does not seem to be letting up, with schools and hospitals also serving fast food.

Because fast food causes obesity, it should be well worth saving the time spent in visiting the fast food outlet and, instead, take time to practice healthy lifestyle changes and munch on a carrot instead of gorging on candy, and opt for juices instead of a can of Coke.

The Main Causes of Obesity in America Include Poor Diet and Limited Exercise

Editor — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 11:33:00 +0000

Many people believe that there is an epidemic of obesity in America, and health professionals believe that diet and exercise are largely to blame. Many Americans eat poorly because many depend on fast foods for the daily sustenance. Fast food outlets do not provide food that is nutritionally good in general. Some of the fast food outlets have menu items that are more nutritious than others, but many people do not order the most nutritious items. The menu items from most fast food outlets have many calories which put weight on the customers.

Many people do not eat the proper foods for great health. Many people refuse to eat fruits and vegetables. These items are full of nutrition, but these items do not contain a lot of calories. The main cause of obesity in America is the imbalance in the number of calories consumed, and the number of calories burned off through activity. Some people eat food with good nutritional value, but they eat too much of it. Nutritionists believe that large portion sizes in the American diet are one of the main causes of obesity. A steak may be full of nutrition, but if you eat a lot of it, you put on a great number of pounds.

The Main Causes of Obesity in American Are Reversible

Another of the main causes of obesity in America is a lack of exercise. Many medical professionals recommend that each person should try to do at least thirty minutes of vigorous exercise every day. The gyms are filled with many people trying to lose weight because they have been convinced that the lack of exercise is one of the main causes of obesity in American. Some of the people in the gyms are steadfast, and they eventually lose the desired weight. Unfortunately, many people get bored very quickly with exercise and quit going for a workout.

The main cause of obesity in America might possibly be much of the pressure that people feel in order to succeed. Stress happens to many people, and they eat on the run as they go from one duty to another. People who are stressed often use food around them as a comfort. People might suffer a set back in their diets if they suffer a setback in their social life or employment. The main causes of obesity in America have been discussed by many people in the community along with professionals who are knowledgeable about the problem of weight loss. Those people who want to lose weight should carefully study the information on the main causes of obesity in America.

Using Meal Replacement Therapy for Fighting Obesity

Editor — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:59:04 +0000

Meal replacement therapy is a highly popular choice for fighting obesity. This is when you choose another form of obtaining the nutrients and vitamins that are needed in your everyday diet. A highly popular choice in meal replacement therapy for obesity is Slim-Fast. Slim-Fast offers easy to make shakes in a wide variety of flavors for you to choose from. They also offer several different types of snacks that will help satisfy your sweet tooth that is actually good for you. Their plan allows you to control your hunger while enabling you to lose the weight you need to. Meal replacement therapy for obesity is much better for the body than fasting, or cutting out carbohydrates. Meal replacement therapy for obesity may be the right choice for someone trying to lose weight.

How Does A Shake Help You Lose Weight?

The shakes provided by Slim-Fast will help make you feel full, while providing you with everything you need to start to lose weight. It is recommended that you drink a shake for breakfast, and also at lunch. You should then eat a sensible dinner and avoid large portions of food. Making healthy choices when selecting dinner will ensure that you achieve the desired weight loss results you are trying to achieve. Meal replacement therapy is a great tool for fighting obesity. Slim-Fast shakes are also very convenient to make and are easily prepared with ice and a shaker. You can enjoy shakes at home or on the go. Using meal replacement therapy for fighting obesity is easier than any other diets when it comes to convenience.

Find the Method That Is Right for You

If meal replacement therapy isn't your choice for fighting obesity, then do some research and figure out which method of weight loss will work best for you, and then put it into effect. Small changes can make a big difference in your daily life. Other popular choice of weight loss includes low carbohydrate dieting, high protein diets, diet pills and even liquid dieting. Whatever method you choose to fight weight gain is up to you, and fighting obesity can be the best decision you make for your life. Obesity is one of the leading preventable causes of death. Diabetes and heart disease are more common among heavier people at any age. You can make healthy choices now that will have positive results in the future.