The Threats of Childhood Obesity article says that about 17% of children are affected by obesity. If obesity continues as they grow up, every major system in the body is affected. It is also said that about 10% of the national healthcare budget is spent on this issue. Currently, we are spending about $150 billion dollars a year and that number will only increase if obesity continues!
So, do genetics have something to do with obesity?
The answer to that question is yes, they can have something to do with it but definitely not the sole cause. Genetics seem to make the child more susceptible to the issue, but the true problem lies in our environment (the environment of inactivity and increased food consumption). It was interested for me to read that ethnicity does play a role in obesity. Statistics have shown that obesity is more prevalent among African-American girls and Mexican-American boys. The cultural factors are not exactly determined but as people, we need to be aware of those disparities.
What can parents do about childhood obesity?
It has been established that obesity can begin during pregnancy. Pre-pregnant weight, excessive weight gain during pregnancy, tobacco use during pregnancy, and diabetes during pregnancy, all contribute to early-childhood obesity. Breast-feeding reduces the likelihood of childhood obesity, because of breast-feeding initiation and duration. When the child begins to grow up, increased fruit and vegetable intake are a better option because fruits and vegetables are very filling. A child should be drinking Reduced sugar-sweetened beverages instead of very sugary drinks. "There's been a study published that suggests that over 230 calories a day could be saved if children switched from drinking a sugar-sweetened beverage to water." Lastly, reduced television time is a huge factor so keeping televisions out of children's bedrooms would significantly help.
Question: As a parent, will you have a television in your child's room? Also, do you think that a major reason of obesity results from their mother's pregnancy choices?
Bibliography
Mugford, Christopher. Childhood Obesity. 5
May 2011. 2 March 2012
<http://health.uml.edu/thc/HealthIssues/Chrischildhoodobesity/childhood-obesity-junk-food-high-calories.jpg>.
Rettig, Jessica. The Threat of Childhood Obesity.
7 May 2012. 2 March 2012 <http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2010/05/07/the-threat-of-childhood-obesity>.
I personally will not have a TV in my children's rooms. I did not and although at many times I wish I did, I don't think it will benefit my children in any way. If they want to watch TV they can just go downstairs and watch it. I will, like my parents did, set hours when my kids can watch TV to limit the amount of hours they are sitting there and also to encourage them to engage in other activities such as sports and community involvement. As I look back on my childhood, I remember going to throw the ball with my dad in the yard, not watching a certain TV show. I will try to instill these thoughts and memories into my children's brains so they understand the importance of staying active and being healthy.
ReplyDeleteI would not say a major cause of obesity is the mother's pregnancy choices, but I am sure it contributes to it. I think food choices and activity choices at an early age contribute way more to childhood obesity. Even if the mother makes bad decisions when she is pregnant, the childhood obesity can be reversed with the right choices being made.
I think the best way to reduce childhood obesity is to get prominent people and organizations, like Michelle Obama- Let's Move and the NFL- Play 60, to raise awareness about the issue and do something to reverse it. This gives kids a fun way to lose wait and prevent childhood obesity.
It's so interesting to know that obesity is not only the child's responsibility, but also the parents'. I will not have a TV in my children's room, so that I can set a limited time for them to watch TV. And also, I think the advertisement of food and drinks can easily attract children, so in order to avoid child obesity of my children, I will try to skip these advertisement. I remember when I was young, I must have an hour for sport like riding bicycle, badminton and swimming everyday so that I can keep healthy. I think I will do the same thing for my children.
ReplyDeleteI also think pregnant mothers have the responsibility to keep their baby healthy. It is sad for a child who is born with obesity!
I am interested in how much money is spent on obesity each year. I wonder if the health care system could play a part in this as well. If obesity keeps going up so will health costs - think about how much illnesses, diseases etc are caused by obesity. I wonder if a prevention model would help - people are rewarded for healthy behaviors an habits. I know in some states if you participate in athletic activities (races, events, etc) you can submit this to your insurance company to lower your premium.
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