Curbing Childhood Obesity
8/27/2019
By Abbie Byrom, M.D, Board-Certified Pediatrician
Back-to-school season is just around the corner. Whether your child or teen eats in the school cafeteria or packs lunch from home, establishing and maintaining healthy eating habits is more than just a matter of good nutrition – it is critically important to lifelong health and avoiding chronic disease. Childhood obesity is creating a nation of overweight youth, and a generation battling chronic weight-related diseases traditionally seen only in older adults.
Being overweight has detrimental effects on a child’s self esteem, leading to a poor self-image, depression, social discrimination, unhealthy eating habits and possibly, eating disorders. In addition to the social stigma of being overweight, the health risks for children are significant.
Numerous industry studies have shown that overweight or obese children will battle this condition for life, and those who have weight problem as children will be more severely overweight or obese as adults. Being overweight or obese also puts children at risk for a variety of harmful and detrimental health conditions. Many children and youth are being diagnosed as early as their teen years with these chronic conditions:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Type 2 diabetes
- Breathing problems such as sleep apnea and asthma
- Joint problems
- Gallstones
- Heartburn and GERD
- Kidney disease
Studies show that nearly 60 percent of obese children between ages 5 and 17 have at least one risk factor for heart disease, and nearly 25 percent had two or more heart disease risk factors.
The causes of childhood obesity are very basic: children eating too many calories and not getting sufficient exercise. The prevalence of sugary soft drinks, fast food and high-fat processed foods in the American diet, larger portion sizes, and increasingly sedentary lifestyles – including excessive television and video time – are primary factors.
Health providers, nutritionists, and educators are working together to reverse the trend. Start at home by modeling healthy eating habits, making good nutritional choices, and limiting television and video time. Instead, engage in physical activity as a family such as walking together or going for a bike ride.
Strategies for Good Health
A nutritious diet and regular physical activity are keys to curbing childhood overweight and obesity.
The CDC has identified target areas to focus on for preventing and reducing obesity:
- Increase consumption of fruits and vegetables. To view the appropriate amount of fruits and vegetables to eat per day (for yourself or your child) by age and gender, visit www.choosemyplate.gov/fruits or www.choosemyplate.gov/vegetables
- Increase physical activity. The CDC recommends at least one hour of physical activity per day for youth ages 6 to 17. Reduce screen time (television, computer and video games) to one to two hours per day, to curb snacking and encourage outdoor physical activity. Studies have shown that for each additional hour children spend watching TV a day, there is a 2 percent increase in the chance that they’ll be overweight. The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends removing tv sets from children’s bedrooms, as children who watch television in their rooms watch an average of 4.6 more hours a week and are more likely to be overweight.
- Decrease consumption of sugar drinks. Instead, choose water, low- or no-calorie drinks, or low-fat/fat-free milk. (Dr. Byrom adds that children should limit sports and sugar drinks when sports activities are less than 1 hour duration.)
- Decrease consumption of high-fat, high-calorie foods (sweets, pre-packaged snack or processed foods). Instead, choose water-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables, reduced-fat dairy, nuts and whole-grain breads or pastas.
About the Author: Dr. Abbie Byrom, board-certified pediatrician, can be reached at Tennova Pediatrics – Tullahoma by calling (931) 393-7060.
Remember that this information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor, but rather to increase awareness and help equip patients with information and facilitate conversations with your physician that will benefit your health.
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