Being overweight or obese is the result of a "caloric imbalance." A caloric imbalance can be a factor of many reasons, from over-eating to health issues often involving the thyroid. It's a known fact that not all people absorb food alike. Although obesity continues to increase among all ethnic groups, some groups are affected more than others. African American adolescent girls (29 percent) and Mexican-American adolescent boys (27 percent) have been statistically shown to be more affected. About 1 in 8 preschoolers in the United States is obese. In some states, we see small declines in obesity, but we still see an increase on the whole, indicating an even worst future in terms of the prevalence of obesity. For individuals who become obese early on, health problems are drastically of higher potentiality.
"Children who are overweight or obese as preschoolers are five times more likely than normal-weight children to be overweight or obese as adults and have lifelong physical and mental health issues" (Spivey 1). When obesity begins in childhood, this can lead to psychological problems, asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular risks factors and many other health problems that become indirectly a factor of one's weight. It is the root cause of many health problems in America today, and when our root weakness is growing rapidly in front of our eyes, it's time we make our greatest effort to stop it.
The problem isn't biology or genes. Biology and genes are becoming affected by the true problem. We've become a nation that promotes inactivity and overeating. We shouldn't be afraid to admit it, either. Technology, although sometimes our best friend, has definitely aided in this complacent take on inactivity. Conveniency, being the culprit, has been the spirit of technological revolution, and herein lies the root problem. The negative consequences of overindulging in fast food are right in front of our eyes, yet we continue to eat these foods that are proven to significantly impair our health and well-being. I think a society that so strongly idolizes a perfect physique has also caused an issue. There are followers, people who take physical fitness to an extreme level, and those who choose to be indifferent, convinced they aren't capable of making a change to the reputation they've gained as a heavier individual. And then there's the TV and the video game console, taking the physical out of activity.
Some startling facts that are affecting the epidemic of childhood obesity according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Psychological Association, American Heart Association, and the United States Department of Agriculture:
- Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the past 3 decades. The percentage of obese children ages 6-11 years old in the US increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 18% in 2010. The percentage of obese children ages 12-19 years increased from 5% to 18% over the same period of time.
- One in three American children and teens is overweight or obese (triple the rate from 1963), stemming a broad variety of health problems not seen previously (until individuals reach adulthood, ie. high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and elevated blood cholesterol levels). There are also psychological effects: obese children are more prone to low self-esteem, negative body image, anxiety and depression, as well as higher and younger death rates in adulthood.
- Sugar consumption was at 66 pounds per person in 2010, its highest level since 1999.
- In 1942, annual U.S. production of soft drinks was 90, 8 oz. servings per person; in 2000, it became over 600 servings per person!
- Sugary soft and juice drinks make up six percent of all calories consumed by 2 to 5 year olds; 7 percent in 6 to 11 year olds, and more than 10 percent for 12- to 19-year-olds. While children from 2 to 11 years old get more of their calories from milk than soda and other juice drinks, the opposite is the truth for children 12 to 19 years old.
Can these horrible statistics be reversed?
The American Heart Association recommends the following tips concerning diet and exercise:
- Find out if you or your child is at risk by accessing a Body Mass Index calculator and getting a personal pre-assessment (www.cdc.gov or www.healthweight/assessing/bmi)
- Talk with your health care provider and have him/her assess you or your child's health in detail
- Learn portion control and pay attention to the nutritional facts on the food that enters your body, as well as the liquids.
- Teach your children to eat slowly and focus on the feeling of "fullness" and "listening to their body" rather than cleaning their plates. Eating should be a matter of refueling, not gorging.
- Place a limit in the household on sugary drinks. Impress on your children to drink water with their meals more often than soda or juice. (Tell them it will help them appreciate the taste of their meal more, and they'll give it a try and realize it will.)
- Fruits and vegetables at every meal! Avoid fried foods: too much extra fat.
- Get whole grains into your daily meals and snacks.
- Teach children to pick nonfat or low-fat dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, etc.) at home and at school. Keep them on hand in your refrigerator.
- Skip the salt shaker and monitor processed food products for amounts of salt/sodium.
- Get up and move, and encourage your children to do so with you. Start with activities that foster endurance at first so that children can ease into more demanding physical activities.
- Limit the amount of screen time that goes on for your family. I know this might be a tough one, but simply work around your favorite shows. It's worth it to get out there with your children and play in the environment as opposed to always sitting in front of the TV. For some, this lifestyle change can be difficult even at a young age; aid your children in doing so by setting a good example.
- Educate yourself on what makes up a healthy meal, and introduce it to your family. Healthy doesn't have to taste bitter. There's plenty of spices and condiments out there that are calorie-free (or close to it) that will change the way you look at healthy eating--I guarantee it. An open mind is all it takes, and some good old research. Nutritional balance and the information on it is constantly being improved, as a good amount of Americans realize the importance of physical health and create a demand for this valuable research.
- Start your child's day with a healthy breakfast made of proteins and good carbohydrates (whole grain beads, cereals, oatmeal, and fruit). Sugar-laden foods cause a child to crash after breakfast and become hungry again soon after getting to school, and long before lunch. A hungry child is a non-attentive one.
- Remember, portion control is more than important in the fight for a healthy, balanced diet. Your metabolism depends on the frequency and mass you eat, as well as the amount of exercise you do. It's a great exercise to keep a daily log on the amount of calories you intake, or the amount/size of meals.
- Be a role model for healthy living. A good parent is a role model, and it's never too late to get back in shape. Being a physically healthy person has great implications for your emotional side. If you're a stressed out person and haven't tried exercise, get over the anticipatory anxiety (which only lasts until you find your routine) and try it! You'd be shocked at how much happier exercise and healthy eating can make you. Much like a negative eating habit and non-exercise can have multiple direct and indirect effects on the brain, so can positive eating habits and exercise.
Resources
Spivey, Becky L., M. E.d. Super Duper Handy Handouts © 2013: Childhood Obesity - An American Epidemic
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