Childhood Obesity Prevention

Childhood obesity is a growing problem, not only in America but in many other countries across the world. According to statistics, there are about 17% of children and adolescents from the age group of 5 to 19 who are affected by this serious medical abnormality. Obesity can be a result of heredity, overeating, psychological disorders, other medical conditions, etc., but no matter what the cause is, it can lead to many other serious healthy problems in the future. Obese children also find it very difficult to be accepted in the society and thus, they might develop low self-esteem problems and suffer from depression.

However, more than the children trying to get themselves out of this medical condition, the parents or the adults who are responsible should take care of this. Many think, there are no ways to prevent obesity in children, which is hereditary or that results from a medical condition. But any type of obesity can be controlled as it is just a deposition of fats in your body which is not being metabolized or eliminated appropriately. Therefore, we have a few effective ways for preventing this, mentioned below. So take a look!

Prevention of Obesity in Children

We all know the childhood obesity in America is growing by the day. As mentioned above, even though there are innumerable causes and triggers which lead to obesity in children, there are many ways to correct it or prevent it from increasing. The most important part of this prevention is to control a child's diet. The children from the age 5 to 19 are in the prime growth phase where they require all the important nutrients for development in the right amounts.

Thus, if these nutrient sources are not sufficiently provided to them, they might suffer from deficiencies or anemia. But, you have to make sure, they are not over consuming them, as that can lead to less metabolism and more fat deposition in the body. Therefore, as a parent, you have to strike a balance between nutritious eating to supply enough nutrients and adequate exercise to burn excess fat and tighten muscles.

• Teaching your child healthy eating habits is one of the basic and easiest childhood obesity prevention tips. When your child knows the importance of eating proper amounts of food, drinking enough water and then playing well, you won't have to bother about obesity at all!
• Taking care of your child's breakfast is the second most important tip for the same. Since, the child is growing up, consuming a healthy and filling breakfast could prevent him/her to eat junk food at odd times. Oatmeal, yogurt, eggs, milk, bacon, pancakes, toasted whole wheat bread, cereal, etc. are some of your choices.
• Make sure you provide your child with 6 small meals throughout the day instead of 3 main meals. This way they get hungry at odd times and end up eating some filling foods, that may not be healthy. Don't force them to eat too much, but try to provide all the necessary foods when they ask for it.
• Serve fresh fruit juices in the morning and during the day and keep them away from sodas. Make sure your child drinks enough amounts of water, as they need to be hydrated throughout the day, to help them burn their calories and still have energy production.
• Childhood obesity prevention, can start by preparing delicious foods such as French fries, potato skins, pizzas, nachos, desserts, etc., at home, to keep them from overeating these foods from outside. Kids get tempted to eat junk very easily, and in order to control this, prepare these meals at home so you won't have to bother about junk cravings!
• Enroll your children in recreational sports such as tennis, swimming, field sports, dancing, skating, or any other outdoor activity. This will give them a chance to learn something new and will help their body to burn any extra fat they have acquired.

With these tips, hope you have benefited from the information. It is very easy to prevent or control your child's obesity problems, and help them to get a healthier future.

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Genes have nothing to do with Obesity

Those who think obesity is due to their genetic makeup relish any news that 'fat genes' have been found as they look to blame something else for their predicament rather than their own habits and behavior. They are wide of the mark. If you are obese it’s because you choose to be that way.

Obesity Epidemic

The messages have been coming as thick and fast as an extra large shake. America is fat and getting fatter. Too many big portions are being served up with a side order of diabetes and heart disease, as the nation is eating itself to death.

The obesity epidemic has made Americans, well the super-sized ones, the big butt of jokes all over the world. But the US is by no means the only nation that is suffering with its collective waistline.

One of the principal reasons why it is such a prominent health concern is that some people do everything they can but blame themselves for their large proportions. Such misguided thinking blinds them to the many ways they can help themselves.

To be fair, over eating and poor self-control are not the only causes of obesity. For example a thyroid disorder can lead to weight gain as can some other medical conditions including genetic disorders. And so do some medications. However, generally speaking the main cause for the overwhelming majority of obese people is their greedy eating behavior.

Obesity is Not in Your Genes

The search for genes and gene variants that might be linked to obesity is a very active area of research and periodically throws up some in interesting results as a number of genes have now been located that may contribute to the medical condition. For example, researchers at Peninsula Medical School and Oxford University discovered that people with two copies of a “fat” version of a gene called FTO were at a 70% higher risk of obesity than those with none. These conclusions came from a study of about 40,000 people and were published in the journal Science in 2007. A simple Google search on obesity and genes will throw up any number of similar studies.

But what is troubling about some of these studies is that they are interpreted as evidence that our genes have more of an impact on our weight than exercise or diet. While I have deep respect for the scientific method this is pure hokum.

I tend to dismiss any findings that lay most of the blame on our genes, and so should you. The simple truth is that obesity is down to self-control and personal choice. If your shirt buttons are straining at the leash and you haven’t seen your feet for years it is because you have lost control.

You can choose to be obese or choose to be normal. It’s completely down to you whether you take control of your life and sacrifice some of your guilty pleasures or whether you want to be lazy about it and remain fat. If you choose to guzzle down cakes, pizzas and junk food in vast quantities while sitting on your sofa watching TV for hours on end then the odds of your belly inflating are greatly increased. If you have no problem with that then fine, but whatever you do accept that it is you who are responsible for the size you are. Don't put the blame elsewhere.

In a debate in the UK’s House of Lords in October 2011, Lord McColl of Dulwich said: It (obesity) is killing millions, it's costing billions and the cure is free - eat less." To that I would add eat less of the bad stuff, more of the good things and exercise more. It really is not rocket science. If you are obese you made yourself that way, and therefore it’s down to you to undo the damage. Though I admit that can often be easier said than done.

We are Not a Slave to Our Genes

Being obese is as much a psychological problem as it is a physical one and this is something that needs to be understood more by public health bodies. People who tend to gorge themselves on extra large quantities of food do so because of mental and emotional issues not physical ones. And they need a lot of help, encouragement and support to wean them off of their destructive food habits.

What tends to get missed by a lot of people when so-called ‘fat genes’ are discovered is that they need to be triggered. Their presence does not automatically guarantee that the individual will be obese. It means they may have a genetic predisposition to obesity and should therefore be extra vigilant with the food they put inside themselves.

This might also explain why some people seem to put on more weight than others when they exercise the same and eat the same things as their friends.

Take Control

Obesity is not an easy problem to tackle. At an individual level it requires courage, patience and self-sacrifice and the understanding and help of those nearest to you.

Genetic research is undoubtedly useful. If people know they have 'fat genes' and are therefore at a greater risk than the general population of becoming obese, they can modify their behavior and eating habits accordingly. Some people - because of their genes - just have to work that much harder than others to stay slim.

It is only by taking control of our own lives that we will be able to tip the scales back in a favorable direction.

References

Frayling, Timothy, et al. A Common Variant in the FTO Gene Is Associated with Body Mass Index and Predisposes to Childhood and Adult Obesity. Science 11 May 2007: Vol. 316 no. 5826 pp. 889-894 "Obese People Should Eat Less" - BBC News website

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