Archive for the ‘childhood obesity’ Category

Here is a video on childhood obesity and kids weight loss that I posted on YouTube (and other video sites). Enjoy, and feel free to comment

Teenage obesity statistics are on the rise. According to information collected by the National Center for Health Statistics, since about 1995, a dramatic increase in obesity in Americans has been seen, affecting those of all ages,

In 1980, approximately 5% of children from 6-19 years of age were overweight. That figure was 15% in the year 2000 (almost 9 million children). This number continues to grow at an alarming rate. The information also indicated that a further 15% of children between the ages of 6 and 19 were at risk of becoming overweight.

Obesity is defined as being around 20% heavier than their ideal body weight because of the accumulation of fat. Those whose weight is 1-19% above what is considered their ideal range, are defined as being overweight. Obesity is becoming increasingly common among teenagers.

Although teenagers have less weight related health issues compared to adults, overweight teens are much more likely to remain overweight as adults and will potentially develop weight related health issues at a much earlier age. Overweight teens, like overweight adults, are at risk from several serious health issues including:

1. Heart Disease
2. Diabetes
3. High Blood Pressure
4. Strokes
5. Certain Cancers (rectal/bowel cancer)

Obese people tend to have a shorter life expectancy compared to those who have a healthy weight for their body size. Obese teenagers find that they are not only physically unfit, but their psychological health is also affected. Being overweight or obese as a teenager often leads to serious self esteem issues and depression, which in turn may cause them stress and in some cases, may develop into serious mental illness.

It is no surprise that a study whose details were released in May 2004 suggested that overweight children are more likely to be bullied than children who are a normal weight. Unfortunately, they may not only be the victims of bullying, they may become bullies themselves. The reason for this is that some children respond to bullying by becoming aggressive themselves. When they realize that this gives them power over others they may choose to exercise that power over others who are weaker than themselves. In a sense it is a cry for help because they feel so unable to control whatever is causing them to be bullied in the first place (in this case, their weight).

The development of personality and body image is crucially important goal for every teenager.

There are many causes of obesity which center around the concept of balance, the balance between the calories they obtain from food and the energy they expend (how effective their metabolism is, and how much exercise they receive). Often when teens are overweight, it is because there are problems with the nutritional value of their diet or the amount of exercise they receive. Alternatively, it may be familial, physiological or psychological.

Dietary issues

Gone are the days when fathers worked and mothers stayed home with the children. These days, most families require two full time incomes to make ends meet. Because of this, we rely heavily on fast foods and processed foods. Unfortunately, these meals tend to be much higher in fat, sugar and calories than non-processed varieties. Combine this with all the snack foods available and we face the prospect of excessive calorie consumption which leads to teenage weight gain.

Exercise issues

On average, children in developed nations spend several hours per day watching television or on a computer. Compare this to a generation ago, when this time would most likely have been spent running around outside. Because of this lack of exercise, many teens and children are now overweight. They expend insufficient energy, and frequently eat high calorie snacks while watching TV or playing on the computer. According to US statistics, about 33% of elementary school children receive some form of physical education, and less than 20% take part in exercise programs after school.

Family issues

Children and teens of overweight parents are more at risk of becoming overweight themselves. In some cases, this can be caused by powerful genetic factors, but most times it is because they are modeling their eating and exercise habits on their parents eating and exercise habits. Even though it may seem that your teenagers pay no attention to anything you say or do, you are in fact an extremely powerful role model for them, potentially even more powerful than their peers. If you have bad eating and exercise habits then it is likely they will also.

Physiological issues

Recently, information has indicated that genetics can influence weight in children and teenagers. Scientists discovered that some children born to overweight mothers were less active, and often gained more weight by the age of 3 months compared to children born to mothers within a healthy BMI range. The conclusion was that this suggests a possible instinctive drive to conserve energy in some people. There are also health conditions that cause obesity. Some glandular diseases (like Cushing’s disease) affecting the pituitary or thyroid gland can result in obesity. The pituitary gland is effectively the control center for our metabolism.

Psychological issues

For many overweight teens, their physical well being is the least of their problems. The psychological effects of their obesity can have much more damaging and far reaching effects. They are tormented and abused by peers at school and in the local community. For many, it is not just others opinions that are upsetting, but their own self image. Many teenagers (especially girls) are clinically depressed because they are obsessed with their weight. Media images don’t help either, every model and actress you see is generally stick thin to the point of being unhealthy.

Recent studies indicate just how much pressure is faced by obese teenagers. One such survey reveals that obese teenagers rate their quality of life as low as that of young cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. There are other studies which have been carried out that report increased rates of depression, low self esteem and physical and emotional isolation from their peers, which in some cases results in behavioral problems. These teenagers are less likely to apply or be accepted into higher education (college) or to get married, and are more likely to be affected by poverty as adults. What is worse is that many overweight teens will not only be mistreated by others but are excessively hard on themselves.

When you combine the psychological cost of obesity with the risk of diseases such as cardiovascular, orthopedic, gastrointestinal, respiratory, hormonal, neurological and metabolic diseases (diabetes) it can make you realize just how serious an issue teenage obesity statistics are.

Thankfully, there are now weight loss programs available for teenagers which are community based, and combine psychological therapy with behavior change therapy in order to improve teenagers self esteem and physical health.

All guardians of teenagers need to educate themselves about teenage obesity, and must act quickly when children show signs of it if current teenage obesity statistics are to be stopped from spiralling out of control.

The health effects of obesity in childhood are as many and varied as they are in adults. Obesity is a growing epidemic in western society, it’s growth throughout the world is reaching pandemic proportions. While obesity is the root cause of many health problems, it’s particularly bad for children since many of the effects of obesity are long term, if not life long. People who are overweight from childhood will suffer the effects of that throughout their lives. It’s estimated that one in three children in western society are overweight. As parents, it’s vital that we understand the potential for long term health effects of obesity in childhood because our child’s future depends on it!

There are several health issues of obesity in childhood. Here is a list of some common, potentially deadly diseases children could face if they don’t maintain a healthy weight:

1. Type II diabetes: Type II diabetes can cause the body to produce insufficient insulin, or cause produced insulin to be incapable of bonding with sugar in the bloodstream which means the body effectively ignores the insulin which causes excess sugar to float around in the blood stream. Type II diabetes also leads to kidney problems, heart, eye and other organ diseases. Type II diabetes used to develop mainly in middle aged adults but the increase in child obesity has made it increasingly common in young people. In addition, being overweight can cause fatty deposits to build up around the pancreas where insulin is produced, this fatty tissue inhibits the passage of insulin into the bloodstream causing the development of type II diabetes. If this occurs, then losing weight will most likely cure the diabetes unless permanent damage to the pancreas has occurred.
2. Gangrene: Being overweight can cause circulatory problems that result in gangrene in the extremities. In time, this tissue death can result in the amputation of toes, feet, legs, fingers, hands etc. This is particularly common in those who suffer from diabetes, however it also occurs in those with no history of diabetes. If you think it’s okay for a child to be seriously overweight, just imagine the impact of having to live with a disability of this type.
3. High blood pressure (hypertension): Overweight children are particularly prone to experiencing elevated blood pressure levels. Hypertension leads to several serious health conditions including stroke, heart attack, and cardiovascular disease.
4. High cholesterol: Long term high cholesterol can lead to a condition called ‘atherosclerosis’ which refers to a buildup of fatty plaque in arterial walls. Over time, this buildup can dramatically reduce blood flow through those arteries. Without oxygen rich blood flowing freely the body can suffer from several extremely dangerous issues including stroke and heart attack.
5. Joint diseases: Carrying excess weight causes wear and tear on the joints. The longer this excess weight is carried the more damage is caused to the joints. If a child is overweight most of their life, it can potentially cause a great deal of pain in their back, legs, ankles and hips later in life caused by joint diseases like arthritis. Similarly, losing weight can dramatically reduce the amount of discomfort caused by arthritis simply because there is less strain upon the joints involved.
6. Heart disease: The symptoms of heart disease tend to appear much earlier in life in those with a long history of obesity. These days, it is not uncommon for this to occur in teenagers.
7. Psychological: In some ways, perhaps the most damaging effect of childhood obesity is psychological. Obesity carries a huge cost to a child’s self esteem and self confidence. Obese children often endure horrendous teasing from their peers. This can have a significant negative impact on their self image that can last their whole life. This can lead to anxiety and depression, make them socially introverted and can cause them to avoid many milestones in life, like school dances, that many take for granted. Ultimately, it can even lead to teen suicide.

Note that this is certainly not a comprehensive list of the health effects of obesity in childhood. These are provided as a guide for you to understand some of the things that may occur.

It’s a very frightening scenario isn’t it? While this news is grim, the good news is that it is never too late to address the health effects of obesity in childhood. Many of these issues can be totally reversed simply by making better lifestyle choices. Initially, it will be up to the parents to make these lifestyle choices on behalf of the child. Eventually, the child will be able to make similar healthy lifestyle choices for themselves. Making healthy lifestyle choices is as simple as eating a more nutritious diet and getting more exercise. This can have a huge difference on the weight of a child. Not to mention the huge improvement in their self esteem as they overcome the health effects of obesity in childhood.

One of western societies most disturbing statistics is the increasing number of children suffering from childhood obesity and overweight issues. Childhood obesity has become one of the greatest threats to children’s health.

Danish scientists tracked over 250,000 students in Copenhagen from 1930-1976. They discovered a direct correlation between childhood obesity and the risk of heart problems, especially among males. For example, a 13 year-old boy who was 25lb overweight was discovered to be 33% more likely than his healthy weight peers to suffer coronary heart disease by age 60.

Scientists estimate that based on current rates of childhood obesity, coronary heart disease could increase by up to 16% by the year 2035.

An even more disturbing trend is an increase in the number of young people suffering from coronary heart disease… a disease commonly believed by society to affect only adults over the age of 40. Of course, there have always been incidents of young people suffering these conditions. In 1970 my father had a heart attack at the age of 33. In the hospital he was complaining how unfair it was to have a heart attack at such a young age… until he discovered the 18 year-old beside him was there because he had a heart attack also! The incidence of this type of situation is increasing.

According to a 2004 study in the United States the obesity rate in those under the age of 18 was around 16%. A recent study indicates that the rate is now 21.6%. Unfortunately, this figure only refers to children with a BMI higher than 95% of their peers. Anything over 85% is classed as overweight. Realistically speaking, 1 in 3 children in western countries are overweight.

Statistically speaking, modern children have a higher calorie consumption but receive less exercise. For this reason, childhood obesity will continue rise until the majority of children and then adults are obese… Unless we do something about it!

Modern children are now vulnerable to diseases which were traditionally not seen until much later in life. The dangers of childhood obesity include; heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type II diabetes, stress and depression. These conditions have become much more common in those under the age of 18.

Malnutrition has also become a prevalent problem in Western countries where it used to appear mainly in Third World Countries. Malnutrition refers to the insufficient, excessive or imbalanced consumption of nutrients. This can be caused by inadequate consumption of nutrients or from inability to absorb those nutrients. As children consume a less healthy diet filled with excessive fat, salt and sugar and insufficient vitamins and minerals they become obese and suffer from malnutrition.

The only way to end this pattern of malnutrition and disease is to examine the causes then stop and take a stand to make childhood obesity a thing of the past. As parents, we need to educate ourselves to ensure our childrens future health and eating habits. We need to ensure that our children receive the best start in life and have the tools to maintain a healthy lifestyle and pass those skills onto their own children.

Perhaps you think your child’s obesity is a result of genetics. That may be true, there are genetic and health conditions that contribute to obesity. But consider this, if you fail to eat a balanced diet and receive no exercise you increase the risk of being overweight. Consuming more calories than the body requires for energy needs leads to obesity. If your child has unhealthy eating and exercise habits then they could become overweight. Genetics may contribute but a healthy diet and exercise routine can override genetic predispositions. Avoiding the dangers of childhood obesity is as simple as changing the whole families eating and exercise habits.

As a parent you are responsible for your children and providing a healthy diet and encouraging them to exercise is something that must be done to ensure their healthy future. How would you feel if your child had a heart attack at the age of 18 because of their diet and lack of exercise. That is one of the dangers of childhood obesity.

As a parent, it can be challenging to provide your child with a healthy diet. Modern parents are frequently ‘time challenged’. All the modern technologies are designed to make life easier but usually result in life being busier because we have to work harder to afford them. But you know what, it really doesn’t take all that much effort to prepare a healthy, home cooked meal. Here are some tips to make life easier and healthier.

• Encourage consumption of fresh fruit as snacks rather than snack bars, potato crisps etc
• Eat more wholegrain foods like wholemeal pasta, whole wheat or multi grain bread and brown rice. These take longer to digest and satisfy hunger for longer than their processed, white counterparts.
• Invest in a slow cooker. This will allow you to come home to a fully cooked meal, they are great for casseroles, soups and baked meals
• Utilize frozen vegetables: There is less wastage, they are frequently cheaper than their fresh counterpart, most of the work of preparation is already done and nutrient wise, they are as good or even better than fresh since they are frozen within hours of being picked.
• Reduce consumption of red meat but cook fresh meat rather than processed, frozen versions like chicken nuggets etc.
• Eat more fish and skinless chicken (skin contains most of the fat). Canned tuna and salmon are good but look for reduced salt and versions in springwater rather than brine or oil.
• If you’re not home to cook but your children are, teach them how to prepare fresh meat and vegetables if they are old enough.
• Decrease the size of meat portions as meat is one of the primary sources of saturated fats.. this will also save money.
• Consume reduced fat or low fat dairy products to reduce saturated fat consumption.
• Consume more salads, but be wary of oily and creamy salad dressings
• Eat less puddings and cakes for dessert and have more fresh fruit desserts instead

Following these easy tips will help you avoid the dangers of childhood obesity.