If you have recently found yourself fretting over your child's waistline, you are not alone. The youth of today are fatter than ever before, and parents are starting to panic. Why are our kids so big, and what should we do about it?
Childhood obesity has been described as an epidemic. It puts our children's health at risk, making them more susceptible to problems involving their cardiovascular systems, endocrine systems, and even their mental health. Type 2 diabetes mellitus, depression, and low self-esteem are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the problems looming over the heads of our overweight children.
It is ironic that both the problem and the solution to this heavy problem boil down to one simple equation. Energy In vs. Energy Out. When more energy is consumed than is utilized, the result is fat storage. In short, our kids eat too much and do too little.
Energy In
The Problem: Parents today are busier than ever before, navigating through hectic schedules with convenient fast food restaurants lurking on every corner. Our kids are eating more fried, processed, and sugary foods than we did as children due mainly to the convenience factor. These foods are laden with excessive calories that result in weight gain.
The Solution: Take time to evaluate your children's diet. Do they eat three balanced meals a day? Do they eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day? Are they limited in their servings of fried, processed, and sugary foods? Avoid buying sugar-filled snacks while grocery shopping, fill your cart with fresh, healthy snacks instead. Make time to plan family meals so that you don't find yourself in another drive thru.
Energy Out
The Problem: Computers, video games, and satellite T.V. are our children's latest and greatest toys. Who has time to play outside when you are about to beat the hardest level, or your favorite show is about to start? Our kids participate in less physical activity and are more sedentary than any generation before.
The Solution: Limit the time your children spend on sedentary activities, such as T.V and video games. Sign your kids up on a local sports team so that they can run and be active with other kids. Take the whole family to the park on a weekend instead of gathering in front of the T.V.
As a parent, it is your unique responsibility to teach your children the healthy habits that lead to good health. Children who are obese have a greater chance of remaining obese into adulthood, thus greatly increasing the likelihood of serious health problems. Talk to your children about their eating habits, and activity levels, informing them of good choices versus bad choices. Make it a family effort to start eating healthier and increase physical activities, and you will be pleasantly surprised with the results!
Diana Keuilian, author, ACE certified Personal Trainer, and co-founder of HitechTrainer.com offers online personal training and nutrition programs that fit your budget and schedule. Whether your goal is to lose weight, firm and tone, or to build muscle, HitechTrainer.com will build a custom designed program just for you.
Visit: http://www.hitechtrainer.com/ and begin meeting your fitness goals today!
family-safe home cleaners Morton Grove ..Okay, so you've read some of these articles, done your... Read More
Ever wonder if you have a serious problem with binge... Read More
There are currently over 100 billion dollars sold in weight-loss... Read More
In the medical community, "obesity" is generally said to be... Read More
Your Non-Conscious Mind is 98% of your full power.Your Inner... Read More
Dr. Atkins death was unexpected. On 8 April 2003, he... Read More
Have you ever stepped on the scale after a week... Read More
I'm sure you have pondered this question, for it is... Read More
When Instant Results Take TimeYesterday I decided to "get back... Read More
Many of us have tried losing weight in the past... Read More
So you've decided that you're going to do it.You're sick... Read More
Recently, I read an article from Japanese magazine that by... Read More
I recently received the following email:Q. Five weeks ago, I... Read More
It is not recommended to lose more than 1 pound... Read More
Yesterday, out of the blue, without any foreboding gossip or... Read More
IT'S NOT ABOUT THE NUMBERS!The health clubs are always racking... Read More
When considering that pathological eating disorders and their related diseases... Read More
As if you needed another reason to hit the snooze... Read More
Reducing childhood obesity in the U.S. needs to be a... Read More
Obesity and overweight, weight reduction and weight management therapies, miracle... Read More
Here are the 4 things you need to know about... Read More
To really understand the impact of a protein diet, it's... Read More
I'm sure you already know that weight loss and improved... Read More
We in the diet and exercise industry have our own... Read More
The Zone Diet as a weight loss program has been... Read More
home cleaning services Wilmette ..For the person who wants to shed a few pounds... Read More
Gastric bypass patients face a great task in the following... Read More
It can happen with one bite. The moment those refined... Read More
Telling yourself you have to "struggle with this weight issue... Read More
Fat is fuel. That is basically what it is. A... Read More
Teenagers with body mass indices between 25 and 30 require... Read More
I am somebody who has had an ongoing battle with... Read More
Yes, my healthy diet has at times suffered at the... Read More
Everybody you know is on the latest weight loss bandwagon:... Read More
Reading labels is an essential part of any weight loss... Read More
Are you unhappy with your current weight but aren't "motivated"... Read More
Low self-esteem produces a game of control. It causes a... Read More
Weight Loss tipsAll throughout my childhood and teenage years I... Read More
To lose weight and get in shape you must have... Read More
What a great world we live in. You want something,... Read More
What are the best fad diets? It's a question I'm... Read More
FINDING THE PERFECT DIETArriving at the Perfect Diet is no... Read More
The Secrets have been in our family recipes, some even... Read More
A question from one of our readers:Dr. Mericle,With respect to... Read More
Spring is here and swimsuit weather is just around the... Read More
Having just returned from a week of basking on a... Read More
It was bad enough hearing almost daily that obesity in... Read More
Everyone from politicians to parents is talking about fighting the... Read More
Many women want to be slim. Maybe you're one of... Read More
Who'd have thought healthy eating could be so controversial? Lunching... Read More
Weight Loss |