Obesity and Our Children

There are nine million overweight and obese children in the United States. According to the Center for Disease Control the percent of overweight children from the ages 6-19 rose to 11% from 1963 to 2002. Childhood obesity has risen to epidemic proportions. This is an epidemic that continues to rise despite the constant attention from the media. We need to ask ourselves, why?
As parents, teachers, coaches and professionals, it is our job to implement the changes in schools, our home environment and the various environments our children are part of every day. There are three key areas to look to for prevention; early feeding exposures to healthy foods, teaching parents how to create an environment of healthy choices and school-based intervention programs.
Exposure to fruits and vegetables should begin during prenatal care. This is an effective time to intervene when family is focusing attention on genetic risk, parental influence, and environmental factors. This is when new moms want to help create the best start in life for their unborn child.
Evidence from multiple studies has shown a relationship between breastfeeding and reduced risk of obesity. By the mother including fruits and vegetables into her daily diet, the newborn child, too, will benefit from these better food choices. The flavors from the mother's diet are transmitted to the mother's mild so the baby learns to like a food's taste when the mother eats these foods on a regular basis.
Offering your baby plenty of opportunities to taste fruits and vegetables as they make the transition to solid foods will ensure repeated exposure to healthy foods. Learning to like these tastes early on will help them establish good eating habits. As parents we need to provide fruits and vegetables multiple times throughout the day for snacks and part of all meals. Children need to be provided with ample access to nutrient-dense foods, healthy beverages and high-fiber foods. Shaping the eating patters of a child in their pre-school years will have a tremendous influence on their eating habits for life.
Education on good nutrition should not end once our children enter school. Teachers and educators at all levels, need to be vigilant about reinforcing good eating habits in and outside of school. Studies have been done confirming the transition from middle school to hight school teens decrease their intake of fruits and vegetables by almost one serving per day. Chances are they aren't even reaching the recommended nine to thirteen servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
Our children will be the first generation not to outlive their own parents due to the diseases and illnesses they will suffer as they enter adulthood. An issue not to be taken lightly, our children need to be exposed to an increase in healthier food choices at home, in school and even restaurants found in their own communities. Maintaining a structured eating environment can help create healthy eating habits.
School based prevention programs should be mandated in all school districts. Children are in school as much as they are at home. Much of their eating and exercise takes place during school hours. Teachers are able to influence a child's behavior towards the desired aim for healthy eating. With intervention in the school, the teachers can be supportive and enhance motivation towards better lifestyle choices. Studies have concluded a healthier body means a healthier mind.
A study provided by Science Daily confirmed that children, by the age of three are considered overweight. Obese children now have disease like Type II Diabetes that used to only occur in adults. This puts them at a greater risk for heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and stroke.
Incorporating activity into a child's life on a daily basis is a crucial part to preventing obesity and weight issues. There has been a decline in the physical activity our children engage in due to the increase in the use of computers, TV, and video games. Video games today allow them to talk on headsets with their friends while they compete against them on tv. They only part of the their body engaged in an activity is their fingers and their mouths. As they enter the teenage years, unless they are a member of a sports team, most teens choose a sedentary life over a physically active one.
As parents, we want what is best for our children and would never intentionally do anything to harm them. However, sometimes, when it comes to food, we don't know what is the best thing to do. As parents and teachers, for our children and ourselves, there needs to be a joint effort and commitment to helping children establish good eating habits. Families should be educated and empowered through prevention guidance to recognize the impact they have on their children's development of lifelong habits of physical activity and nutritious eating. Imagine less sick children, better grades in school, overall healthier and stronger bodies that will live well into their nineties without various medications delaying death.