Childhood Obesity Prevention

Preserving the Future of Our Children

Sep 14, 2009

Staggering statistics show that childhood obesity has more than tripled in the last three decades. The key to halting the rising statistics is prevention.

Prevention is an extremely important foundation that appears to be rising in importance, but still lacking as a principle in modern day America. Building on the foundation of prevention will allow Americans to lead happier, more prosperous lives in the long run. The foundation of prevention for the childhood obesity crisis will require both cause (creating the effect of childhood obesity) and a solution (stopping it in its tracks).

Three Causes and Suggested Solutions

Parents looking at the staggering childhood obesity statistics might just be wondering how the current situation arose. Of course pointing the finger down one avenue just is not going to work in this instance. Childhood obesity is the result of a combination of factors which are not the same for every child. Here are just three of the possibilities that may contribute to our current crisis as well as recommendations designed to eliminate the causes.

Screen time is the amount of time that a child spends sitting down engaging in activity that includes a screen. Screen time includes television, video games, computers, going to the movies etc. Screen time for children can be a wonderful addition to their lives, teaching them hand/eye coordination, learning about science, geography, or history, even getting an education online, but how much is too much? Children who spend hours in front of a screen are, of course, sedentary, which is absolutely one of the factors contributing to obesity. But a sedentary lifestyle is not the only concern that screen time presents. While watching television, in particular, children are barraged with advertisements during commercial breaks, showing them how eating and drinking junk food will enhance their life and social status! Unfortunately children’s growing minds and fragile egos are susceptible to the advertising ploys.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics it is important to limit our children’s screen time. Many parents choose a one or two hour rule per day, others may choose more or less. Parents are encouraged to try to enjoy a child’s screen time with her, or if that is not a possibility, to know what she is watching. There are some channels for children that limit or have no commercials. When children do fall prey to the junk food advertising it is important for parents to explain the facts with compassion, while encouraging more healthy food choices.

Many children do not know or understand the implications of eating a diet high in sugar, and harmful fats. As our children grow up it is important to educate them regarding proper nutrition. Parents will not always be at their sides, so empowering a child with the knowledge of proper nutrition is paramount to his future health. Schools should also aid in the fight against childhood obesity by providing mandatory nutrition classes, emphasizing a healthy lifestyle and proper food choices. Children should not only be educated in what proper food choices can contribute to their lives, but also the difficulties that could be encountered due to improper choices. Parents should resist the impulse to label foods “good” or “bad” when encouraging a healthy diet, letting kids know that healthy bodies require a particular variation in foods without overindulgence in any one particular area. Show them how eating a rainbow can be fun!

Children should be encouraged to engage in physical activity for at least an hour a day. Most children can and will play and exercise well beyond that mark given the opportunity and environment to do so. Parents are encouraged to get their daily exercise with their children. Not only will this have quite an impact as an example to children, but it will also aid in bringing the family closer. Most children attend school 5 days per week for the majority of the day, where much of the day is spent sedentary. Schools must also be held responsible for encouraging children to be more physically active and fit. Although studies have shown that physical activity alone will not tend to prevent childhood obesity, it does help to lower blood sugar and increase bone strength, and combined with other measures can be a part of a successful prevention strategy. (2)

References

The copyright of the article Childhood Obesity Prevention in Weight Loss is owned by Tammie Doerler. Permission to republish Childhood Obesity Prevention in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.