| Childhood obesity is an alarming worldwide problem | | | | avenues to adequately vent their feelings of fear, |
| that afflicts children aged six to nineteen. Due to the | | | | frustration and alienation, so food becomes a natural |
| skyrocketing incidence of obesity in children, it has | | | | outlet. Unfortunately, venting on food provides very |
| been estimated that more than 15% of all children | | | | temporary relief from the pressures of the real world |
| within the given age bracket are already clinically | | | | and eventually takes a toll on the body.o The family- |
| obese- a sure sign that parents must take action. | | | | what foods do the parents usually buy when they go |
| According to clinical studies done back in 2002, 15% of | | | | grocery shopping? Often, unhealthy food choices can |
| all children in the age bracket (6-19) were at risk for | | | | be traced to what the parents are accustomed to |
| obesity. | | | | buying and feeding their children. |
| What causes childhood obesity? | | | | Childhood obesity can be brought about by other |
| It should be no surprise to many parents that two of | | | | factors apart from lifestyle problems. While it is |
| the greatest evils of modern living, overeating and lack | | | | possible for genetic predisposition and other such |
| of physical exercise are the main causes of childhood | | | | factors to play a part in the formation of the problem, it |
| obesity. The prevalence of the problem so great that | | | | is highly recommended that children who are already in |
| we are seeing more and more children below the age | | | | the overweight category should begin regular physical |
| of 7 suffering from other related conditions, such as | | | | activities such as sports and exercises. Sports such as |
| juvenile diabetes. Children who have been fed with | | | | the various martial arts can also help boos flagging |
| fast food and take-out dinners from a very young age | | | | confidence levels and may even help improve |
| and have been accustomed to large amounts of | | | | academic performance, because exercise has been |
| sweets and sodas are considered high-risk for obesity. | | | | known to make the mind and memory sharper. |
| Other factorso Genetic predisposition- we speak of | | | | Solution |
| family lines that have had a long history of adult, | | | | Childhood obesity is a very frightening reality that we |
| overweight individuals who may have also suffered | | | | must actively address so it won't be too late for our |
| from other maladies associated with being obese or | | | | children. Lifestyle changes and long term diet |
| overweight. If both parents are overweight or obese, | | | | improvements can help reverse a lifetime of bad |
| there is a big chance that the children are also at risk.o | | | | eating habits. Starting on a new sport, such as martial |
| The child's psychology- peer pressure, problems at | | | | arts or other similar sports can provide an adequate |
| school, bullying and low self esteem can also lead to | | | | avenue where weight can be controlled and |
| childhood obesity. Children usually find very few | | | | self-esteem issues can be addressed. |