Increasing Obesity Amongst Children In The USA
October 6, 2009
According to a recent study, almost 15 per cent of the children in the US are either obese or overweight. This is a problem area for both children and their parents. Parents of obese or overweight children should recognize and understand the risk factor. This will help them to help their children in controlling weight and getting early treatment.
In a recent study that was conducted on 100 obese and overweight children, between the age group of 6-14, were compared to 47 other children of normal health and weight. The study found that the overweight and obese children have higher blood pressure, high cholesterol, and higher insulin resistance as compared to children of normal weight. Overweight children have an average blood pressure of 120/76, where as the blood pressure of average children in around 98/65.
Moreover, Ultrasound scans indicated that overweight children have stiffer and thicker carotid arteries. These arteries transfer blood to the head. Obesity and excess weight destroy and damage the arteries of children. The study also found that obese children have higher risk of diabetes.
Obese children are more prone to several heart disease and bowel cancer. They are easy prey for heart diseases such as store and heart attack. Excess weight not only hampers physically but it can also lead to certain psychological disorder. When the obese children are teased by their friends and other children regarding their weight, this leads to low self-esteem and lack of confidence, which further leads to depression and isolation.
Many children generally put on extra pound due to their lifestyle that includes lack of physical activities and unhealthy diet. Weight loss experts, dietitians, and physicians advise that obese or overweight kid should not be encouraged to lose weight. In fact they should encourage to adopt healthy lifestyle and should involve themselves in outdoor sports or other physical activities.
According to another survey, 6 out of 10 girls and 4 out of 10 boys don’t do the minimum 1 hour in a day of physical activities that has been recommended by the health education authority. If you are a parent of obese children then its advisable for you to not put our kid in weight loss program without proper consultation with the doctor or weight loss experts, as this can affect your kid’s growth.
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