Childhood Obesity Awareness

Do your remember the time when you could walk outside and see all the kids up and down the block out riding their bikes, people taking walks and lots of people being active? Those days do not happen very often any more. I do not believe it is not that we have gotten lazier but that we simply have to many things going on. One result of us not getting out and doing as much has called our children as victim in childhood obesity.

Childhood Obesity rates has continued to grow from 7% of children ages 6 to 11 to 18% in 2012. For older children in age group of 12 to 19 rose from 5% to 21%. This resulted in heavier adults as well. Overweight is defined as having excess body weight for a particular height from fat, muscle, bone, water or a combination of these. Obesity is having an excess of these things. Both are the result of taking in to many calories and not burning enough off.

Children who are obese have more health problems as well. They often have risk factors for high cholesterol or high blood pressure, prediabetes, or bone and joint problems, sleep apnea and social problems. Having such problems as children can lead to even more dangerous conditions as they grow up. Conditions such as strokes, cancers or heart disease.

It is never to late to make healthy lifestyle changes. A diet change and more physical activity is a great place to start. Setting a good example for our children is a great place for us to start. Children are mimics and are influenced by society, family, community, school, child care, church, or really anything in their environment. You can help by making wise decisions for both you and your child

shared at
the scoop