Obesity In Children

Obesity Health

A recent study has shown that a startling 1 in every 5 children in the USA is over weight, children who are over weight or obese have fewer health related problems than adults do, however they stand the chance of carrying their weight problem over into adulthood.

Doing so then places them at risk of developing heart disease and diabetes later in life. A child who is over weight or obese is a prime target for bullies, often as a result of the weight problem, they can become a loner who develops a sense of low self esteem.

Why do children become obese?

There are many reasons why a child can become obese; the most common causes in children are genetic factors, an unhealthy diet, not enough physical exercise or a combination of these factors.

Very occasionally the problem can be caused by a hormone problem and a blood test should always be taken by the Doctor to rule out this condition.

Weight problems also tend to run in families so if the parents are overweight then the children stand a chance of doing the same, especially when the problem is down to an unhealthy diet.

The child's activity level and diet play a crucial part in determining weight and more and more children today are not getting enough physical exercise.

More children are sitting in front of the TV or playing video games or sitting at a computer now than ever before, this is one major factor determining the rise in obesity in children.

What health problems does a child who is obese face?

There are a number of conditions that being obese can increase the risk of, diseases such as:

* Diabetes

* High blood pressure

* Problems with the bones

* Early heart disease

* Problems with the skin such as acne, fungal infections and heat rashes

How can I tell if my child is overweight?

Common sense will often tell you by sight if your child is over weight or is heading that way but the best person to confirm any suspicions is your Doctor, your Doctor will measure your child's height and weight and take into consideration your child's growth pattern and age.

It is sometimes hard to determine if a child is in danger of becoming over weight or obese as children grow in spurts and they may seem a little over weight but then have a spurt in height and level out months later.

What you can do to help your child if they are over weight

Support is the main thing if your child is over weight, if your child knows you support him/her no matter what they weigh then they are far less likely to withdraw into themselves.

It is also important to talk with them about there health problem and steps that can be taken to help them lose a little weight if necessary. Children learn by example so if you start exercising a little more and start eating more healthily then so will your child.

Try to curb the amount of TV they watch or the time they spend in front of the computer and instead do family activities together, such as going for walks after dinner, going swimming or playing sports. All of these will make for a better healthier way of life for not only your child but also the rest of the family.

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Obesity In Children

Obesity Health

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