The Opinions of Doctors on Child Obesity
Most doctors in the United States will agree that obesity has become a problem of epidemic proportions among the youth of this country. As many as one in every five kids can be considered obese by the national standard, and more are categorized as overweight. Obesity is defined as being in the 95th percentile in body mass index (BMI), and a child is considered overweight if he is in the 85th percentile of BMI. Obesity has been linked to a number of serious health issues, such as high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. In fact, most of the youth that have been diagnosed with diabetes are also considered overweight or obese.
Because this condition has been on the rise, and because of the health concerns related to it, there has been a lot said by doctors on child obesity. First, treatment of obesity is much more difficult than preventing the condition in the first place. When it comes to most doctors’ thoughts on child obesity, the preventative methods that they would like to see implemented include healthy choices in the daily diet and regular physical activity. Both of these factors have suffered significantly in recent years for a variety of reasons, which is why many doctors believe that child obesity is on the rise at such an astronomical rate.
What Doctors have to say on Child Obesity, Diet and Exercise
The dietary habits in this country have deteriorated considerably with the introduction of fast food and junk food into our daily menus. The problem of the prevalence of these unhealthy food choices is seen in manufacturing and marketing as well as the consumption of these foods. In discussing child obesity, doctors agree that attitudes need to change in regards to diet, with the inclusion of more fruits, vegetables and whole grain items, and a reduction in high fat, low nutrition choices. This change in eating habits can be best modeled by parents, so think about the example that you are setting for your kids the next time you head to the grocery store.
Exercise is another important factor in fighting the child obesity trend, doctors say. Between the television, computers and video games, there are plenty of sedentary activities that are vying for our kids’ attention today. It seems that there is much less time for the simple running about outdoors that many adults used to enjoy as children. Still, when considering child obesity, doctors will encourage parents to get their kids moving by riding bikes, taking walks or playing at the park. Children have a natural energy that needs to be burned, and many parents find that these outdoor activities enhance their children’s ability to focus and concentrate on other tasks like homework in the long run.
Child obesity is a problem in this country, but it is not a problem without a solution. When it comes to child obesity, doctors have plenty of healthy recommendations for parents that will ensure that their kids stay slim and trim. The health of the children in this country is too important to leave to chance. Parents need to listen to doctors on the issue of child obesity to ensure that their kids grow up to be happy, healthy adults.
