Childhood Obesity Chapter 1 Summary

Child obesity is a condition characterized by the child having too much fat in the body to an extent of his or her health being in danger. In adults, it could be described as a state of having a body mass index of more than thirty (Paxon, 2006). Parents feeding them with too many calories bring about obesity in children. The excess calories are converted to fats that accumulate in the child’s body. This child will develop a big body because he or she will add weight and become quite fleshy. Obese children are at a risk of getting very adverse health effects, some of

There are many ways to encourage children to eat healthier and keep healthy eating exiting. Such as:-

Childhood obesity is a growing problem in America. "the percentage of obese children doubling from 6.5% in 1980, to 17.0% in 2006. Weight, nutrition, and physical activity are the main components to a child’s overall health.”(1) “When parents become too busy to cook meals in their homes, children learn poor eating habits and develop into unhealthy eaters.”(1) They will take what they learned at home and apply it to anywhere else that they eat. For example a child that drinks milk at dinner and sits with their family at dinner when asked what they want to drink when they are at a friend’s home will ask for milk because the child would associate milk with dinner. Children cannot make healthy choices of their own they need to be guided so

Don’t try to teach your children that eating healthy is important when they are teenagers, I am more than sure that they won’t care even

Childhood Obesity can lead to a wide variety of health problems that can be both immediate and/or long-term. Obesity is the condition of

Eating a well balanced meal is crucial for someone in their early childhood stage. During this time period, between the ages of two and six, a well-nourished child can grow up to three inches and gain up to four and a half pounds per year (Berger, 2010). Children at this age also need fewer calories per pound of body weight than infants do. Since children need less food than they did before and many do not diminish the intake of their food consumed, obesity becomes a problem. The article “Child and adolescent obesity: a part of a bigger picture” states, “The prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity has risen substantially worldwide in less than one generation” (Lobstein, 2015). Obesity is a main factor that is present and can lead to other diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. The article also states that, “The food industry has a special interest in targeting children. Not only can the companies influence children’s immediate dietary preferences, but they can also benefit from building taste preferences and brand loyalty early in life, which last into adulthood” (Lobstein, 2015). Once children are hooked on the foods they eat during their childhood, they tend to follow those habits as they grow up. Children in low-income families are vulnerable to obesity because they rely on cheap fast food.

For example, eating healthy and exercising regularly. However parents should also monitor their children daily nutrition intake; as well as visiting their primary care physician annually. If parents had their children and family on a consistent routine with eating healthier such as limiting food portion for the entire family and getting everyone physically active; these steps will create a life styling change in getting entire family healthier. Moreover, a major factor for parents dealing with overweight children, is managing their diets. Mainly, because the enormous influence that fast food industries have on America children. Statics have shown that three out of four children eat a fast-food meal once or multiple times a day. If it's a prove fact that' children are growing up thinking that massive amounts of fat, sugar, and sodium equal normal serving portion. Than obviously parents should limit the amount of fast-food intake of their children, and give them portions sizes of veggies, fruits, whole grains, and protein; which will most likely decrease childhood obesity in America alone. Many children don’t have opportunities to exercise. Communities have few athletic programs in place, which leave kids spending large amounts of time in their homes. A lot of kids around America are influenced by electronic entertainment such as cable TV, Facebook, YouTube, and videos games. In addition, parents need to

Eating habits are developed from the first couple of years of a child’s life, and parents must be sure to implement a well-balanced diet so that their children get the sufficient amount of nutrients that our bodies require. Other studies conducted by CDC.gov suggest that if parent consume fruits and vegetables around their children’s, chances are that the children will adopt the healthy way of eating from their parents and their chances of becoming overweight or obese decrease.

To touch on poor nutrition, research shows that almost one-third of U.S. children between the ages of four and nineteen eat fast food every day; this results in weight gain of approximately 6 extra pounds on a growing child each year (NACHRI, 2007). Fast food consumption has increased fivefold among children since 1970. Not only is fast food an issue, but when parents reward their children with sugary foods and/or use fruits and vegetables as a punishment, this may cause children’s views toward nutritious food to be negative. Some great educational tools that can be shared both in and out of the classroom are “The Food Guide Pyramid” and “My Plate.” Both show that appropriate number of serving of each food category. “My Plate” does a great job of even providing games, activity sheets, kid-friendly recipes, and physical activity tips to elementary aged children (My Plate, 2015). They also provide great resources for adults so parents and educators can practice what they preach and set good examples for children. Educating children on an what a healthy diet consists of and why it is important is probably the greatest preventative tool we can use to prevent obesity. As the famous saying goes, “knowledge is

Childhood obesity has now reached an epidemic in several parts of the United States. As a result, children now have a higher risk to have numerous chronic and acute medical problems. Several of the long-lasting medical problems a child might face as a result of obesity could eventually result in death. In addition to chronic medical problems, childhood obesity has severe psychosocial effects on an individual such as low self-esteem and depression. Childhood obesity is a serious problem that is caused by a numerous amount of factors that can eventually lead to severe health complications.

Kids are often told they aren’t allowed to table without finishing everything on their plate. According to Natalie Muth author of “Eat your vegetables and other mistakes parents makes” a big is “… telling children to eat everything on their plates.” If a child is full, and continue eating it will cause their stomach to expand. Eating more them the need will cause children to gain weight. Muth also “Another mistake is telling kids they can have dessert if they behave well. It causes them think that it what will make them feel good.” As children grow into adults they will turn to comfort food when they are feeling sad. Sweets should give once in a while, but should not be given as a reward. Children only know what they are told, and would never eat anything thing but sweets Muth also states, “A parent should have the wisdom to know when to say no to a child. Children don’t know better and if it was up to them they would live off of ice cream.” Children only know how to define foods by how it taste, but don’t have the capability of knowing the benefits or disadvantages of their foods source. Parent help children develop their first impression on food, and should them eat

Step Five: Keep children busy, doing so can eliminate the urge to eat once they become bored. “Never offer food as a way to keep them busy while you are doing something else” (Childhood Obesity Epidemic). A parent should always supervise their children’s diet and should encourage them to be physical active because they have a key role when it comes to how their child eats.

3) Select one new vegetable, fruit, or food to try each week. Make it a game with your kids. They may love it or hate it, but it will teach them to be open to new foods and experiences at the

The fast-paced lifestyle of Americans today results in unhealthy frozen T.V. dinners and take-out meals. In present day society, the role of woman and men are virtually equal. With this making both the mother and father of families busy, there is little time for home cooked meals. A hardy breakfast is replaced with sugary pop-tarts, hand packed lunches is replaced with money for fast food, and frozen T.V. trays take the place of a healthy dinner. These foods may all taste good, but they are not healthy. By giving children lunch money, the children are having the choice to buy whatever foods they please. It could be easily assumed that a child would choose a candy bar, chips, and a soda over a school lunch. Again, the children are not the only ones to be blamed here. The parents need to take time to guide their children towards what food is healthy and what food is unhealthy. By taking a little more time out of the day and making healthier food choices, the rate of childhood obesity could slow down, if not stop altogether.

Parents who eat healthy foods and are physically activity set an example that increases the likelihood their children will do the same. Keep the refrigerator stocked with fat-free or low-fat milk and fresh fruit and vegetables instead of soft drinks and snacks high in sugar and fat.