Childhood Obesity

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.

Recommended Reading

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