subject: Truth About Childhood Obesity - Know It All And Know It Quick by:Jasper Conan [print this page] In the United States alone, there are about 9 million of children considered obese. This number is thrice the rate in comparison to that in 1980. About 14% of teenagers are recorded as overweight. This health concern is also rampant in other parts of the world, both in developed and developing countries.
Statistics shows that the number of obesity cases in children aged between 2 and 5 and adolescents aged between 12 and 19 has doubled. Furthermore, the rate of obesity in children aged between 6 and 11 has tripled. It is estimated that about one third of all children are predisposed to be overweight. About 16 percent of these children are already overweight.
Obesity plagues children as much as it affects adults. The main factors of this health issue are lack of physical exercise, poor eating habits and heredity.
Children who are obese are at risk of contracting a myriad of diseases. These diseases include liver disease, sleep disorder, gall bladder, cardiovascular disease and even some cancers. They will have a spike in their cholesterol level and may even prone to developing asthma. Boys generally are at a higher risk of developing these illnesses. Psychological problems such as having low self-esteem will also affect children. This is because they may think that they are different from their peers and thus refrain from socializing with them.
Of particular importance is that parents play a more proactive role in educating their children about healthy habits. They should also be a good role model by developing healthy eating habits and engaging in physical exercise. While genetics do account for obesity, parents can still control children's diet and encourage them to be more active physically. With good persistence and determination, surely children will be a healthy lot!
About the author
I write on health, particularly on aspects concerning childhood obesity.
