The growing number of obese and overweight children around the world is astonishing. One out of every three children are extremely overweight or obese. Why is this happening, when we are more informed about nutrition and health than ever. Some of the causing factors for this unfathomable issue is poor eating habits, overeating, eating while watching TV, lack of exercise, medications, stressful life changes, and our lack of parenting. Instead of fun filled days outdoors the children of today are growing up in a world full of technology, TV’s, video games, and cell phones are becoming their everyday nannies.
As parents, we have an obligation to teach our children healthy habits in life. It starts with us at the moment they are born. If this trend continues we are setting our children up to become obese adults, have health issues, and have low esteem in their adult lives. Not to mention sending them to an early grave. Obesity is one of the leading causes of death. The annual cost to society for obesity is estimated to be nearly $100 billion. Health risks include: high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and a shortened life span. Is this what we want for our children? For our money to go towards healthcare expenses in the future?
Healthy habits can be made fun, and if these are instilled in children young enough they will continue them throughout their adult lives, passing them on to their children. Some fun family activities can be: include children in cooking, walking to get a treat, riding bikes to a park, nature hikes, most anything can be made to include some exercise. We need to bring back the family unit and do things not only for our children, but for ourselves. A change needs to be made now to insure our existence tomorrow!
Of course prevention is always the best measure in looking after one's health. What we put into our mouths will ultimately affect the whole body. Animals are given growth hormones and thru the food chain it has contributed to young girls undergoing puberty prematurely.
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