The Problem of Obesity

In the January 1, 2003 edition of USA Today, a report on childhood obesity was published. According to the report by the American Heart Association, 8.8 million youth in the U.S., ages 6-19, were considered overweight or obese. That means that, in January, 2003, 15% of children and adolescents in that age group had reached unhealthy weights and levels of body fat! That's a substantial increase in the number of overweight children and adolescents just since 1998, when 11.3% of 6 to 11-year-olds and 10.5% of 12 to 19-year-olds were found to be overweight or obese. Obesity in children is reaching epidemic proportions! What can be done about this situation?

Teach Good, Healthy Habits Early

According to the AHA, obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease...even in children!

Robert Bonow, president of the American Heart Association and chief of cardiology at Northwestern Medical School in Chicago, attributes the substantial rise in the number of overweight and obese children to a number of factors. Among these factors are less physical activity and the consumption of more calories and fat.

Part of the solution to this problem, therefore, would be to decrease the amount of calories and fat consumed by these children and to increase their physical activity.

It is the responsibility of parents to set a good example for their children and to teach them healthy habits early in childhood. Their lives depend upon this! What better way to set an example and teach your children about healthy lifestyles than by spending quality time with them...exercising with them, engaging in play with them, and eating healthy meals as a family!

Diet and Exercise

If you've been eating fast food for so long that you've forgotten how to prepare a healthy meal at home, you may always consult the USDA's Food Pyramid to use as a guide. If you train yourself and your children to eat the minimum servings from each food group, you'll ensure that you're getting the proper nutrients and adequate caloric intake. By following the Food Pyramid, you'll be eating a diet that you can live with for life!

Eat slowly and teach your children to eat slowly. Take time to taste each bite and to actually chew and savor your food. This will give your stomach a chance to let your brain know that you're full before you've eaten everything in sight! Keep healthy snacks...especially, a variety of fruits and vegetables...in your pantry and refrigerator. Try to avoid buying all that junk food you're so accustomed to keeping around! Eventually, you and your children will stop craving all those greasy potato chips and sugary chocolate chip cookies! And, your bodies will thank you!

Now, here's an even bigger challenge: exercise!!!! But, hear me out! Why not encourage the children to join you for a stroll through the neighborhood after dinner, instead of plopping down in front of the tv with a bowl of buttery popcorn and a soda? How about asking your kids to join you in some children's physical activities? Remember how much fun it used to be to jump rope or roller skate?

Oh, and don't forget the Hoola Hoop! There are so many fun ways to get the family members involved in moving their bodies and burning some calories. Be creative! Be playful! You can even teach the little ones some simple Yoga stretches! No one said that exercise had to be boring and monotonous! The point is, get up and get moving! And, take the children with you!

I know! I know! You've got a busy schedule, and it's difficult to find the time and energy to exercise or to prepare healthy meals. But, for the sake of your children's health, please...make the effort! You'll be glad you did!

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