Childhood Obesity

Introduction
One in every five American children is considered obese! Childhood obesity is defined as 20% over ideal body weight. Obesity related diseases like diabetes mellitus are at an all time high. What can we do to protect our children from the American epidemic of obesity?

Story
Childhood obesity can lead to multiple health risks later in life. Obesity can lead to heart disease, which is the number one cause of death in the United States. Other health risks include: Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and high cholesterol to name a few. So what can we do to ensure the safety of our children? Childhood obesity and an inactive lifestyle go hand in hand. In fact, more than half of children in America are inactive, and physical activity drops sharply during adolescence. To help activate kids, a great start is to decrease the amount of time in front of the computer or television. By cutting back from more than 21 hours of TV watching a week to 7 hours a week could cut a child's risk of obesity by 1/3. Much of this drop stems from surroundings that promote inactivity. In high school, for example, enrollment in Physical Education classes dropped from 42% in 1991 to 25 % in 1995. It is very important to encourage your children to exercise. Physical activity and weight management go hand in hand. Some options for adding physical activity into your household include:

• Walking the dog
• Household chores such as: yard work, vacuuming, window washing, washing the car
• Purchase games that encourage activity (balls, jump ropes, sports equipment, bikes)
• After school activities (bicycling, gardening, hiking)
• Enlist into a sport program, such as: football, tennis, gymnastics, soccer, softball, dancing
• Add physical activity to weekend events (swimming, fishing, walking)

Parents have an influence on their children's eating behaviors and preferences. A child with one overweight parent doubles the chances of that child becoming overweight. If both parents are obese, a child has an 80% chance of being obese. This might be due to genetic, psychological, or environmental factors. Watch what you eat and your children might follow. Tips on meals for the entire family and children's snacks:

• Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. Incorporate at least 5 servings of these every day
• Eat a variety of grain products, including whole wheat breads, rice, and pastas.
• Fix nutritious after school snacks for your children in the morning if you are not going to be home. Include sandwiches, yogurt, string cheese, vegetables with dip
• Limit purchasing high fat snack products, such as: chips, cookies, candy. Replace these items with low-fat granola bars, pretzels, and fruit
• Incorporate lower fat meat choices into family meals (skinless chicken, fish, lean beef)
• Choose fat-free or low-fat milk products
• Limit high calorie drinks (soda, fruit juices, Kool-Aid) and replace with lower calorie beverages (water, flavored water, Fruit2O, or Gatorade)
• Encourage children to go grocery shopping with you. Have your child pick out a vegetable or fruit of the week
• Have fun with your health food. Make happy faces on your pancakes and 'ants on a log' from your celery and peanut butter snacks

Conclusion
Obesity is an American epidemic and our children are beginning to suffer from this epidemic as well. Help teach your children how to live healthy by eating properly and staying active. Remember to get involved with your family and pay attention to your child's eating behaviors. Concentrate on making fun and healthy foods. Ensure your child's health and wellness until they are old enough to take the task on for themselves.