The National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality identifies higher levels of physical inactivity, lower levels of moderate physical activity, and excessive consumption of sugar sweetened beverages as detrimental contributors to high rates of childhood obesity.
Between 2007-2008, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics found that almost 17% of children and adolescents ages 2-19 were obese. Furthermore, they report that childhood obesity has more than tripled in the last 30 years, and that obesity prevalence among children aged 6 to 11 years old increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2008.
What do all of these numbers tell us with concern to our future generations? They tell us that an era of instantaneous technology and unhealthy foods is having a negative effect on the young ones we love. It's up to today's adults to strive for a healthy young generation.
Understanding the causes of obesity, specifically in children, can help to determine an appropriate plan of action to improve their physical wellness. Many factors contribute to obesity, and some are listed below:
-Medical conditions
-Genetic conditions such as Down, Prader-Willi, or Bardet-Biedle syndrome
-Heritability, such as relatives and immediate family members
-Nutritional factors
-Sedentary lifestyle, with availability of TV, computers, video games, etc
Changing the lifestyle of an obese child, as studies have shown, is easier than that of adults because children respond better to treatment. Reasons for this include greater motivation, more influence of the family on behavioral change, and the ability to take advantage of longitudinal growth, allowing children to "grow into their weight," according to the World Health Organization.
All of these factors are influencing parents to monitor their children's eating and exercise behaviors more closely than ever, with physical activity becoming a staple of growth and health prosperity.
Increasing physical activity in children and youth is easy, and fun! Not to mention, you can get involved as well, which makes for great family bonding time. Physical education in schools is a great start, but isn't enough for many children to receive their recommended daily physical activity.
The PLAY (Promoting Lifestyle Activity for Youth) program encourages the accumulation of 30 to 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physicial activity daily beyond school time. This has been shown to increase the physical activity levels of children, especially girls.
Further physical activites you can utilize with your children, highlighted by the World Health Organization, include active transportation, unorganized outdoor free play, personal fitness, and recreational activities.
In conclusion, you can assist in your childrens health by following the 5-2-1 steps:
5: Eat 5 or more servings of fruit and veggies every day
2: Limit screen time to no more than 2 hours a day
1: Be active for 1 hour or more every day.
Let's work together to keep our future generations healthy and happy by promoting better diets and more physical activity in their daily routines. For more information, visit the National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality or visit our complete online health library.
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