subject: How to Fight Obesity the Healthy Way- How to Fight One of the Biggest Social Problems in the world [print this page] How to Fight Obesity the Healthy Way- How to Fight One of the Biggest Social Problems in the world
How do you fight one of the biggest social problems in the world?
Like millions of kids today, I was an obese child myself. Therefore I know what it means to be laughed at, not only by classmates, but by family members as well, like my grandmother.
What is child obesity and what are the causes for child obesity?
Child obesity is a big problem in the world, not only in the States. Myself, I am from Germany and since all the fast food restaurants seem to flood our country, the amount of obese kids increased dramatically. With the grow of those restaurants the desire for being actively involved in various sports decreased. So, it is vital that parents start, the sooner the better, to help her child in any way possible to fight obesity, and help the child to grow up more conscious to the food and the amount of food he or she consumes daily.
What is obesity?
The word obesity, according to the dictionary, means having an excessive amount of body fat.
If you want to know how to define overweight or obesity, a good way is, using
Body Mass Index(BMI). (Click the link to find out your or your child's BMI Index). This scale identifies healthy, overweight and obese weight ranges.
To put the causes into simple words, people get fat by consuming more energy than they actually burn.
Different Factors For Child Obese
One factor might be that your child is likely to eat too much of "sometimes" foods like; Mars, Snickers or all the other yummy chocolate bars out there!
Ask your child of his or her favorite eating place. I am sure it is one of the big restaurant chains that serves all the delicious burgers and fries.
Children tend to use the bus more often to go to different places
Parents do not mind driving their kids around (sometimes for security reasons)
Outdoor activities become more and more once a year events
Many houses do not have a backyard to play
How much activity would be sufficient for a child?
In general, kids should do at least two hours of activity every day. This can be enjoyed in small intervals of 10-15 minutes building up to around two hours a day and not just running. Try to help your kid to find joy in being active. Why not be active with your child? I am sure your kid will love you for it. Nothing is more important for a child than spending quality time with parents! But I am sure you know that!
These can be activities like:
Playing at the playground or swimming in a pool or at the beach.
Walking to child care or school is a great way for both of you to exercise.
There are so many different activities your child can do. It does not have to be a drill-program your child might probably despise. No! Look around you and start to be creative with your child.
Obstacles you might face in the daily fight against overweight or obesity:
What do you think might be the biggest obstacles your child has to overcome each and every day?
I am pretty sure you know the answer already! Computer games, DVDs, the internet.
It is pretty obvious that the TV and PC are the strongest magnets when it comes to being less active.
They hold them back from doing the necessary activity the body craves.
How much time should my kid spend in front of the TV or PC?
More than two hours of watching TV or sitting in front of the PC leads more likely to smoking, high cholesterol levels and finally obesity. Also fitness becomes less and less important.
Try to activate kids in the most amusing way possible!
