Worldwide, the number of children classified with obesity or being overweight is dramatically increasing; this is due to the huge increase in the calories intake compared to those consumed. Children’s obesity is a real issue but unfortunately many parents are not aware how dangerous it is.
Children’s obesity is defined as increase in the percentage of fats in the body mass index (BMI), which is calculated through a specific equation including weight and height.
Taking in consideration, that the indication of the body mass index, generally varies according to several parameters as age and gender.
It is though that more than 85% BMI in children is classified as overweight wile more than 95% is classified as obese. According to WHO, the number of obese-overweight children under the age of 5 is 42 million child, in which 35 million of them is living in the developing countries.
Evidences point that genetics play a role in children’s obesity, but actually in most cases, lifestyle and wrong eating habits are the main reasons.
Parents should take care of the spreading unhealthy eating habits for their children such as:
• Eating so much fast food and rich-fat meals as pizza, hamburger, fries, etc. So it’s better replaced by home-made meals rich in the right amounts of proteins, carbohydrates and all the important supplements needed for the child’s growth.
• Drinking too much soda which is a huge source of sugar and calories. So it’s better replaced by fresh juices and plenty of water.
• Most of the children’s activities nowadays are limited to computer games, watching TV and video games as play station. Try to encourage your child to be involved in healthier activities like practicing sports as swimming, biking, or running.
• Eating, playing, and watching TV all at the same time is one of the unhealthiest habits of all. It makes your child eat more while not having the full hunger satisfaction. Making time for everything and managing priorities is always the best solution.
Children obesity is a real danger, it makes the child faces a lot of health problems throughout his life such as bone disorders, hypertension, heart diseases, diabetes, high cholesterol levels in blood and kidney problems.
Moms and Dads, your optimum goal is to raise healthy kids so please reconsider your children’s unhealthy eating habits and transfer their as well as yours to a healthy lifestyle. And if you observe that your child is becoming overweight, consult a pediatric.