Obesity in American Children

If you go to any middle school in America you will see a vast majority of overweight children. Studies have shown that the percentage of overweight children in America has more than doubled in the past 2 decades. American children are overweight for the same reason American adults are overweight, eating an overabundance of food and not exercising. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out why American children are overweight; if you go to any fast food drive thru in any town in American on a weeknight you will find the mini-vans lined up to get greasy cheeseburgers, greasy fries, and sodas loaded with sugar, this healthy dinner is usually not followed by a 5 mile run, either.

Exercise should be a part of any child's life on a daily basis, but increasingly it is not. Physical education is no longer required in many of our elementary, middle, and high schools. Many children are not playing team sports, or even running and playing with neighborhood friends, in favor of sitting in front of the television or computer in the comfort of their air conditioned homes. The American Heart Association recommends that children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Exercise does not have to be done all at once; if your child takes a brisk 30 minute walk with the dog and plays a 30 minute game of basketball he has gotten his recommended amount of physical activity. Physical activity combined with a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and lean protein will enable your children to reach adulthood without becoming obese and putting their life at risk for serious health problems.