Childhood obesity has developed into a domestic epidemic and is on a rapid increase. Between 1980 and 1994, the occurrence of childhood obesity has almost doubled with as much as 15% of America’s children considered overweight. Moreover, childhood obesity rates have more than tripled if you analyze the previous thirty years worth of data.
The rate at which obesity in children is growing and is becoming a major health issue for the United States. Obesity is a major contributor to many health problems in children such as diabetes, asthma as well as orthopedic disease. In addition, many overweight children suffer from low self esteem which could lead to physiological problems such as depression.
The long term consequences of childhood obesity are also disheartening. Experts agree that overweight children have a 70% probability of remaining overweight into adulthood.
How to Determine Childhood Obesity
Healthcare specialists determine obesity using the Body Mass Index, or BMI. This system uses a mathematical calculation to measure body fat based on the height and weight of a person. A healthy BMI ranges between 19 and 25, while a BMI of 30 or above is considered obese. Rather than include the mathematical formula to determine BMI, head over to this handy BMI calculator.
What Contributes to Childhood Obesity?
There are several factors that may lead to childhood obesity. The easiest to condone is hereditary. If the family tree has a history of obesity, it’s justifiable that the child will follow suit. That doesn’t mean he has to accept it, it’s just going to make the road to fitness a bit more difficult to travel.
Poor diet is the major culprit. Junk food, sweet and fattening snacks as well as sugary beverages are what kids’ dreams are made of, but unfortunately these same foods may also contribute to their worst nightmares as adults.
Lack of activity is another key issue in children today. The outdoor physical activities of generations past have been replaced with video games, computers and television, turning the average American child into a true “Couch Potato”.
The final contributor to childhood obesity usually falls on deaf ears, or maybe it’s ears in denial…Parents. If left to their own devices, of course a child will eat every unhealthy thing in the house while planting themselves on the couch all day. It’s the responsibility of parents to oversee and assure that a child is guided down the right path of life. That should also include a healthy and fit lifestyle.
Solving the Problem
Unfortunately, childhood obesity on a national level will more than likely continue to rise. Industries with billion dollar budgets are betting their souls on that. Their goals are to keep the American youth eating their unhealthy food and holding them captive with their entertainment products. Their secondary goal is to also draw in as many adults as possible, which will eventually lead more parents into role models with less than healthy ideals.
The current trends of political and social correctness are also nourishing childhood obesity. While no one is suggesting that an overweight person should be ridiculed, the notion that it’s OK to be who you are and to feel good about your body, may be sending a misleading and destructive message to those who should consider some weight loss and a more healthy lifestyle.
While it may seem that society is encouraging obesity, it’s up to each individual to form their own conclusion of what is fit and healthy and what is not. We may not be able to change the world, but we can change our world and that of our children.