Childhood Obesity Epidemic

Childhood obesity is an epidemic. Our children and our families are struggling with weight gain and the effect of this weight gain on their health. Why is obesity on the rise?

It Comes Down to 5 Simple Reasons

#1 Too much sugar. Take a look at the foods in your cupboard and refrigerator. Chances are sugar is one of the main ingredients in most of them. And this just isn't right. Sugar doesn't need to be in our beverages. It doesn't need to be in tomato sauces and our catsup. It doesn't need to be in processed meats. Many children consume several glasses of juice and soda daily all which contain huge amounts of sugar. That can add up to thousands of calories just from drinking liquids, which most people never think of as having many calories or sugars. An extra thousand calories a day results in a gained pound in less than four days.

#2 Not enough fruits and vegetables. The truth is that many children just don't eat at home any more. They're eating at fast food restaurants. Meals are prepared at home come directly from a box or a bag. These foods are short on vegetables and any vital nutrients. They're also very high in fat, sodium and sugar. A child can eat three meals a day and gain weight if they're not eating healthy, homemade meals.

#3 Overeating. Snacking is something that most adults enjoy. Children love it too. If the snacks on hand are fatty, like potato chips, or sugary, like cookies, then the child and adult alike will eat them and the won't be getting any good nutrients from these snacks. This means most likely they'll be hungry again in short time. The cycle repeats and children end up consuming way too many calories yet never getting the nutrients they need.

#4 Couch potato syndrome. Video games have taken over our children's lives. Computers, television and a complete lack of exercise mean calories just don't get burned. It also means their metabolism slows down. It's the perfect one two punch for weight gain. A little physical activity each day does wonders for a child's weight and mental attitude.

#5 Depression. Childhood is tough, kids have a lot to deal with these days. Many children are struggling with stress and depression. Depression is a common cause for overeating, eating has a psychological effect on the brain that makes you feel better. Depression can also causes poor sleep habits which have been connected to weight gain.

Other potential causes for childhood obesity include:

* Medical issues/hormone imbalance
* Medications (antihistamines taken for allergies can cause weight gain)
* Anxiety
* Peer pressure

Childhood obesity is a growing problem. Parents and caregivers can make a huge difference. Children can lose weight and change their habits much more easily than adults. They're strong, capable and with support they can lose weight. If you know someone struggling with obesity or on the path toward obesity, help them make healthier choices. Help them live a healthier life.

I want to start with a definition for the word obesity. Doctors and medical professionals define obesity as an individual who is 30% or more over their normal body weight.

Most doctors and health care professionals use BMI or body mass index to evaluate someone's body fat. It is a much more accurate assessment than merely looking at standard weight charts. This is because normal weight varies depending on muscle mass, bone mass and water retention.

BMI is calculated based on a person's weight and height. It's a basic ratio of your weight multiplied by 703 over your height multiplied by itself. So if you weigh 150 and you're five feet four inches your ratio would be 150x703/64x64 (inches). Or 105450/4096. Or 25.74.

The outcome is then evaluated based on the subsequent scale:

* Underweight = <18.5
* Normal weight = 18.5-24.9
* Overweight = 25-29.9
* Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

A person is considered to be morbidly obese if their BMI is greater than 40.

Causes of Obesity

There are many causes for obesity. Most people slowly gain weight over time. By the time a person reaches their 30's, 40's, or 50's they've slowly moved up into the obese category. A pound a month or ten pounds a year can really add up as we get older.

Inactivity and a poor diet are additional roads to obesity. A few medications and health situation also lend themselves to weight gain. Finally, genetics and environmental factors can contribute to weight gain and obesity.

Treatments for Obesity

The treatments for obesity are various. They depend on the individual, the reason for the obesity and the significance of the person's health. Treatment ranges from lifestyle changes, to diet and exercise and in emergency cases it might lead to surgery. If a person is obese it is vital for them to lose weight. Obesity brings to the table a whole list of health risks. Many of these risks can be life threatening.

To treat and manage obesity, you should meet with your doctor to discuss and form a treatment plan that is right for you. Obesity isn't a life sentence, you can lose weight and reclaim your health and vitality. The first step is understanding what obesity is. The second step is getting a diagnosis. Finally, creating plan and beginning the path to your healthier future.

You or someone you know may be struggling with obesity. Obesity affects one in three adults in the United States. Globally obesity is increasing in every country. Many consider the rise in obesity an epidemic.

Obesity brings with it a complete line of health problems. Included but not limited to; depression and poor sleeping habits to heart problems and even death. Obesity has even been linked to many forms of cancer. Before anyone can begin to deal with their obesity, they must understand it. Specifically, what is causing their obesity?

What Causes Obesity?

There are many causes for obesity. Occasionally just one factor can be sufficient enough to cause weight gain. Other times it is a combination of things that cause weight gain. Here are some of the more common causes for obesity.

Genetics
Scientists and medical professionals have identified a band of genes that control hunger. In particular, they control the hormone Leptin. While you have healthy Leptin levels you feel hunger only when your body needs food. When levels are out of proportion you might feel hungry all of the time.

Environment
People with obese parents are more likely to be obese themselves. People with obese friends are also more likely to be obese. Studies show that people who live in Southern United States or the Midwest are also more likely to be obese. The environment you live in, your friends, and the habits you grew up with make a difference in your chances of being obese.

Diet
Diet is the primary cause of obesity. Overeating and poor eating habits are the single chief contributor to obesity. Processed foods, and fast foods are all high in fat, salt and sugar. One fast food burger can have more calories and fat than the average person should consume in an entire day.

Activity or Inactivity to be precise
When you combine an inactive lifestyle with poor eating habits, the results equal, obesity. Do the math it really is simple. A person must burn more calories than they consume in a day or they will gain weight. Simple things like walking 20 minutes a day can make a huge difference.

Lifestyle
You might be shocked to find out that some basic lifestyle habits can actually cause obesity. For example, a high stress life that causes you to have poor sleep habits, can lead to obesity.

Medical Requirements
Finally, there are numerous medications and medical conditions can lead to obesity. For example, a thyroid imbalance can lead to weight gain. If it's not discovered early enough it can also lead to obesity.

If you or someone you love is clinically obese, find out what's causing it. Then, and only then, can you make changes to regain your health. Always consult your physician before starting any diet or exercise program. Your doctor can help you decide what can you do to lose weight and get healthy again.

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With obesity at historic highs, one might assume that most people are obese. It's true that one in three people are obese. However, there's a vast difference between obese and overweight. Let's explore the basics.

How is Obesity Defined?

With obesity reaching historic highs, you might assume that most people are obese. It's true that one in every four people is obese. There is however a vast difference between obese and overweight. Let's look at both.

How is Obesity Defined?

Commonly Obesity is defined by using a BMI calculation. It's a simple equation that compares weight to height. If a person has a BMI or Body Mass Index of 30 or more then they're considered obese. If they have a BMI of 40 or more then they're considered morbidly obese.

A BMI of 25-29 the person would be considered to be merely overweight.

It might be surprising to find out that more than 30% of our country is overweight. Add to that our 30% obesity rate, would mean that more than sixty percent of the population is overweight or obese. Two out of three people are carrying around more weight than is healthy for their body.

What's Causing This Increase?

People's lives are changing and not for the better. Everything is rush, rush, rush, access to food is quick and easy and a must for many families. And did I forget to mention, IT'S CHEAP! You can go to almost any fast food restaurant and fill your belly for just a few dollars. Unfortunately, foods you are going to get there also add a lot of sugar, sodium and fat to your body. One fast food stop can provide all of the calories and fat you need for the entire day.

Many, families don't just eat at fast food restaurants once a day either. This means they're consuming more calories than they're burning. It only takes an few hundred extra calories a day to gain a pound of fat a month. And as statistic show, most people are consuming more than an extra hundred calories a day.

Add in the consumption of high calorie food and beverages with an inactive lifestyle and you have a recipe for obesity.

Diet and inactivity aren't the only causes of childhood obesity. However, they are the primary causes. While scientists agree that some people can be genetically predisposed to obesity. Diet and exercise still control most people's weight gain and loses. Medications, mental and physical health issues can also contribute to obesity. Now you can see why more than half of the country and much of the world is overweight or obese.

There is a Solution.

1) Get active. 2)Change your eating habits. It's not easy. Many lifestyle changes have to be made. However, your health may be at risk if you're overweight or obese and aren't you worth a little bit of effort?

Take control of your life today. Start taking steps to get healthy.

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