One of the most heartbreaking and disconcerting problems in regards to health in America and other parts of the world is childhood obesity. It is an issue that needs serious attention, recognition, and most of all; a revolution. Being an overweight and obese child is extremely dangerous. I was an overweight child and I was ridiculed and teased in school. This is one reason why I am so passionate and want to raise awareness to this issue. Every day I see so many overweight children and it breaks my heart. Yesterday I was in Harris Teeter buying my groceries and I was standing in line behind a woman and her small child. The boy had a bottle of Dr. Pepper in his hand, a Butterfinger candy bar, and I heard him say “Mom can I have Reese Cups too?” To my astonishment, the mother agreed and told him yes. My heart broke for him because this is not the proper eating styles that should be influenced on children. I am not stating that children should never be allowed treats, but there has to be limitations executed on what they eat, and parents are responsible. This child had two candy bars filled with sugar, fat, and calories, PLUS a soda filled with all of that and caffeine. Approximately 1/3 of children and teens in the USA (about 25 million children) are overweight or on the brink of becoming.
I wish that when I was younger, harder limitations were set on me in regards to food. The more junk and bad food a child is given, the more he/she will crave and want the food. If a child is constantly being fed the drive-thru of McDonald's 3-4 times a week, they will be more susceptible to that type of food. I cannot expound enough on teaching children and teens the importance of healthy eating and a proper diet. When children are growing up habits and tendencies are mostly learned from the parents, other family, and environment.
The dangers of childhood obesity are just as alarming as they are heartbreaking. There are so many medical problems that can form in your child that they could carry on for the rest of their life. Consequently there are also social problems. You always hear of the “fat kid” getting teased and tormented by peers. That was me and I will tell you, growing up it is hell. What makes it even more difficult is when all of that is bestowed upon a child they will result to junk food or other harmful things for comfort. This creates emotional eating, and this was something that started with me as a child when I was teased and has been a struggle all of my life*. Childhood obesity could decrease life expectancy by two to five years if something isn't done about the epidemic, according to provocative research by pediatric endocrinologist David Ludwig, an associate professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. Medical Diseases that can arise from childhood obesity:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Early hardening of arteries
- Bad cholesterol levels
- Sleep apnea
- Stomach and pancreas disease
- Excess fat in their liver, which could lead to hepatitis, cirrhosis or liver failure
- Gall bladder disease
- Back and joint pain due to excess weight
Fully preventing and eliminating obesity in children, teens, and adults will probably never happen. But if each of us can look at our lifestyle and starting making changes for the sake of our children and ourselves, we can start improving day by day. At first adjusting to any change is hard, but it is worth it. Being in good health is irreplaceable and the joy stemming from that beats any joy out of a few minutes of junk food.
5 Ways Parents Can Improve Their Children’s Health:
- Stock up on healthier foods. Keep fresh fruits readily available in your house, not candy bars and fried potato chips. Keep yogurt, mixed nuts, peanut butter, crackers, vegetables, oatmeal, etc. handy for when your child wants a snack.
- Ditch the Drive-thru. It is not always time consuming or expensive to eat healthy. If you know you are crunched for time or in a hurry, just pack or buy healthier foods. Example: a light whole wheat sandwich made with turkey and cheese, crackers, and carrot sticks would be a tremendously healthier option than driving through a fast food place to order food. Plus, it does not take a lot of time to make.
- Make time for activity. When you and your children are home, do not let everyone’s time be spent playing video games, online, or watching TV. Go outside and do some physical activity with each other. It can be playing hide-and-go-seek, soccer in the backyard, going for a walk, dancing in your living room, anything! When I was growing up, it meant the world to me when my mom would come outside and play and run around with it. Not only is it great exercise, but good family time as well.
- Have equipment readily available. You may not always be around to play with your children as much as you like, but you can leave equipment for them so they can still have fun. Soccer balls, tennis rackets, jump rope, baseballs and baseball bat – anything that they can have for physical activity for themselves and with friends will help.
- Make sure they get a yearly physical. Ensure you schedule a yearly physical with their doctor. This check the different areas of their body to make sure everything is working and functioning well.
If you do not think that childhood obesity is a problem or that you do not need to instill good eating habits in your children, read the heartbreaking story a child that was overweight and died of a massive heart attack: Click Here
*Read my story and battle with emotional eating: Story Here
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