Child Obesity Solutions

Parents learn to overcome child obesity statistics

Today's Child Obesity Solutions is for everyone, of all ages, sizes, looks and color and will bring daily rewards to the children in how they feel about themselves and for the parents who are bonding better with their children as they are committed to a common goal.

Youth Obesity will not go away, some experts have intimated that obesity may be the next big health scare like Aids was when it was first realized almost twenty years ago. The crazy thing is that we have the power to change our present state, to stop obesity occurring by simply taking positive action. It all sounds a little too easy. Have you ever heard the expression 'Prevention is better than Cure.' Well we have what it takes to prevent ourselves from becoming obese.

Therefore, parents must take the 'bull by the horns' and implement a stable solution that will reduce their child's body fat by doing fun things on a daily basis. I am not talking about enrolling at your local health club or strict regimes that will only deter your children from participating. To get results you need to apply a little balance between what you eat, when you eat, how you eat, with between ten to fifteen minutes of light exercise such as climbing the monkey frame, shooting basketball, swimming, walking briskly, to name a few.

The changing diet patterns, inactive lifestyles and the absence of healthy recreational facilities in the community have been identified as the causes of adolescent obesity. Physical activity should "work up a sweat" and be an enjoyable part of the family's lifestyle. Activities such as hopscotch, biking, skating, walking the dog, hiking, contemporary dance, climbing on a jungle gym, and yard work may be more easily integrated into a child's or teen's lifestyle than participation on organized sports teams in which only the most athletically gifted are chosen.

This means making changes in overall lifestyles from eating habits to physical activity. Depending on the age of your child use caution when deciding on a formal weight loss diet program. The good news is that with education and proper guidance, the child obesity statistics can come back down and our kids can enjoy a healthier and happier lifestyle.

What are the facts?

Unfortunately, the reality of our society works against our efforts in many cases; our busy schedules don't often allow for time devoted to exercise; and convenience foods have become the staples at family tables - often highly processed foods that contain exorbitant amounts of saturated fat, sodium, and sugar. It's no wonder, therefore, that the battle against obesity extends beyond adults. Childhood obesity has become something of an epidemic in this country, spawning a generation of young people at elevated risk for a variety of obesity-related diseases. Therefore, finding child obesity solutions is paramount in the minds of researchers, doctors, and parents alike.

Childhood obesity affects children ages six through eleven and is marked by an over 32% body fat percentage in girls and an over 25% body fat percentage in boys. There are many different causes of obesity in children - ranging from medical catalysts and genetic predisposition to poor lifestyle choices. Finding effective child obesity solutions depends on pinpointing the cause of the obesity in each particular child.

Childhood obesity rates have risen dramatically over the past 30 years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , almost 19 percent of young people aged 6 to 11 years are obese, while more than 17 percent of 12 to 19 year olds are. These selections are popular with our children, but can also lead to a sedentary lifestyle that has a lot to do with the rise in child obesity statistics. The best way to combat this dilemma is through limiting the amount of time that your children spend in front of the television and computer screens, and in encouraging plenty of time outdoors to ride bikes and run.

What are the possible solutions?

There are many productive ways parents can go about discovering child obesity solutions and preventing their children from becoming obese. One program would be to simply enforce a daily regiment of one hour of physical activity, the consumption of five fruits and non-starchy vegetables, and less than two hours of television watching or video game playing.

Parents and guardians should keep in mind that weight loss is not one of the healthy or proper child obesity solutions for young children to employ, as their bodies are still developing. Unless a doctor assigns your child to be put on a diet for specific medical reasons, dieting should not be encouraged in young children, as it could deprive them of the nutrients and energy they need to grow.

Rather, good child obesity solutions aim should be for the child to maintain their current weight while waiting to grow in to their normal height. By reducing fat and increasing physical activity, the vast majority of overweight children will eventually grow in to their normal weight.

The key to combating obesity seems to lie in energy balance - that is controlling the amount of calories that are consumed versus the amount of calories that are expended. So in other words, when we talk about child obesity solutions, we have to talk about both eating and physical activity. This might seem pretty simple, but the fact is eating and physical activity are caught up in a number of complex social and environmental forces.

Parents can provide their children with better options by promoting a healthy lifestyle, encouraging physical activity and healthy eating, rather than focusing their children's energies on attaining a specific weight. Eating healthy, balanced home made meals, featuring the daily intake recommended in the FDA food pyramid - and combining this healthy eating style with regular physical exercise and activity - can spare an obese child the burdens of developing in to an obese adult.

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