The Leading Cause Of Chilhood Obesity
A Harsh Look At Parents
Obesity is on the rise in children. More and more youngsters are tipping the scales at obese weights. In fact, some studies suggest that as many as one in ten children are now obese. Many blame the problem on sugary drinks available at schools or at the increased varieties of unhealthy snacks. Hardly anyone points the finger at the worst culprit - the parents.
Today's parents simply are not taking an active role in the nutrition of their children. In the 50s, parents were keenly aware of just what their children were eating owing in large part to a drive to provide proper nutrition to kids. Today's parents are more likely to use snacks in an attempt to pacify their children. Chips, fries and candy are often used to keep kids quiet in public places or offered as a reward for good behavior. This alone has contributed vastly to the weight problem our children are facing.
Another issue is inactivity. Yesteryear's children were encouraged to play outside. Running, playing sports and simply exploring were apart of many children's daily lives. This activity helped to keep them fit and kept the weight off. Today's children are part of the couch potato generation. Parents who supply their children with televisions in their bedrooms, portable game systems and computers shouldn't wonder why their kids are not active. By supplying them with the tools to make a sedentary life fun, parents have removed the need for kids to get out and find fun for themselves.
Time is another factor. While it is true there are more two income families today than every before, it doesn't mean that parents can't find the time to provide healthy and balanced meals for their families. Fast food and dinning out are more popular than ever. Many kids have more chicken nuggets and fries than they do fruit and vegetables. With diets high in fried food and low in nutritionally valuable food, it is no wonder childhood obesity is on the rise.
What these parents don't realize is they are setting their kids up for a lifetime of health problems. More and more kids are beginning to experience health problems previously seen only in overweight adults. Joint strain and diabetes are just the beginning of the problems obese children will be facing. Parents who use junk food as a reward or are simply too busy to provide nutritionally balanced meals are giving their children something else, a shorter life expectancy.
The sad thing is, it isn't difficult to feed kids healthier meals. Cut out sugary drinks like soda and dilute juices. Offer vegetables and fruits at every meal. Send your child to school with a healthy lunch. When dining out, opt for the healthier alternatives many restaurants, including fast food places, are beginning to offer. Parents can be the single greatest driving force behind the health of their children and obesity is no different than any other health problem.
