stop childhood obesity
What your children do in their free time? Are they constantly moving and participate in extracurricular activities or sports or are their eyes constantly fixed on the shelves, TV, or video games? Healthy lifestyles and habits are formed at a young age and the choices they make today can affect their health as they age.
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, one in three children in the US is overweight or obese. A child is defined as "affected by obesity" if their body mass index for age (or BMI for age) percentile is above 95 percent. A child is defined as "overweight" if their BMI percentile for age is more than 85 percent and less than 95 percent. Childhood obesity puts children at risk for health problems such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. The conditions which were once considered as adults.
Fortunately, obesity in childhood and adulthood is preventable! Healthy lifestyles, including healthy eating and physical activity can reduce the risk of obesity and related diseases. Use the beginning of a new school year to make some changes in the lives of your family. Take your child a healthy balanced lunch to bring to school and encourage them to be active during school recess or physical education. Work with your child's doctor if you have concerns about your child's health condition to develop a plan for changes and healthy living goals.
Did you know?
- 1-3 American children are overweight or obese.
- over the past 30 years childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled among teenagers.
- obesity can cause adverse health effects such as heart disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes
- Childhood obesity often leads to obesity in adulthood (CDC).
- Obesity not only contributes to poor physical health, it also has an emotional impact health.
Prevention Tips
- Encourage healthy eating habits - provide vegetables, fruits and whole grain products and serving portions of reasonable size
- Making favorite healthy dishes - include more vegetables and reduce added fats and sodium
- Remove calorie-rich temptations -. offer treats in moderation
- Help your children understand the benefits of physical activity - benefits include strong bones, lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and increase the esteem self
- help children stay active - children and adolescents should participate in at least 60 minutes of activity every day of the week
- Reducing sedentary time - limit the time to screen more than two hours per day
Sources: The American Heart Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) allows Move.gov, Action obesity, USDA LifeWork EAP and Adventist HealthCare strategies. The Health Council of the week is for educational purposes. For medical advice, consult your doctor. Feel free to copy and distribute this health resource.
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