How to Steer Clear of Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is an ever increasing problem in the United States today. It is estimated that as many as 15% of American children are obese. While many may disagree the main reason for this problem in the United States today is a result of processed and fast foods. Foods today are convenient and are high in fats and sugar. This is the age of the "fast food" market and the industry spends much money targeting our children and teens every year. Our children can purchase very low-cost fast foods which they love to eat. Even one extra soft drink a day will increase a child's risk of becoming obese by 60%. Children who are obese at the age of 10-13 are found to have as much as a 70% chance of remaining obese as adults In addition, the American family has fallen victim to the convenience of the fast food market as time is very limited in households in which both parents work, or where there is a single parent. Children will follow their parent's eating habits and if their parents are overweight, their chances of becoming obese themselves are greatly increased.

This added to the fact that children tend to be much less active than in years gone by increases the risk of overweight children. Today's children for the most part, choose to spend their leisure time playing computer games and watching TV, instead of being outside getting exercise. Parents do not have the time to participate in physical activates with their children as they once did. In addition, it is becoming more difficult to take their children to sporting events which they could participate in. The dangers which are present to our children today when allowed to play outside unsupervised is another reason many parents do not allow their children to come and go as they please and play around the neighborhood as they once did.

When a child is overweight in, it is very likely that they will continue to be obese in their adulthood. As a result there are many health related disease which may manifest themselves. Some of which are, arthritis, stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.