Childhood Obesity
An article by 
Posted October 31, 2007 
The thought of children watching their weight would by many, be considered as completely absurd. Children shouldn’t be expected to count calories and worry about putting on an extra pound or two. But the sad truth is that the childhood obesity rate is rising, and without proper guidance and education these children are putting their state of their health at an enormous risk.
Approximately 27% of children in the UK are now overweight or obese. It has been found that if a child’s parent is overweight then the child is more likely to also be overweight, due to lifestyle and nutrition choices.
Obesity in children will have almost the same damaging effects as it does on adults.
• Strains on joints and bones are even more harmful to a child, as their bones are still developing and strengthening, added pressure can even cause bow legs and osteoarthritis.
• High blood pressure is something we never associate with children, but if a child does have high blood pressure they are more at risk at developing diabetes.
• Headaches and hyper-ventilation are also common, which in turn can cause drowsiness.
• There are also social factors that a child with obesity may face. Psychological disorders such as depression, low self esteem and negative body images are all reported in obese children.
• Heart conditions and cancer are more at risk of developing in the future if a child has suffered with obesity in early life.
The rise in childhood obesity is also being blamed due to the fall in levels of exercise children partake in and poor diet. Children naturally have a higher metabolism than adults but excess sugary and fatty, processed foods are hard for the body to break down.
Parents play the biggest role in a child’s life, and it is the decisions that the parents make that ultimately affect the health and well-being of that child. Promoting good nutrition and limiting un-healthy foods, alongside keeping the child active are the best ways to sustain a balanced healthy lifestyle.
If you are worried about your child’s health, then the best action to take is to talk to your GP. Book an appointment for both you and the child, however you may wish to speak with the doctor alone first. Children are highly sensitive to criticism, especially by those closest to them. Tread carefully; ask subtle questions about their health. Do they often find themselves short of breathe? Are they getting headaches? Do they suffer with any joint pain?
Once you have spoken with your GP and established the best course of action, the greatest advice a parent can take is to be patient, but encouraging. Let your child know that the change in diet and lifestyle is a positive step. Children learn quickly and once they understand that you have restricted the junk food for health reasons and not as a punishment, you will probably notice they take to the idea of improving their physical condition better than you would first imagine.
Remember our Shopping Zone lists online stores and companies that stock plus size childrens’ clothes.
Useful Links
THE ALLIANCE FOR A HEALTHIER GENERATION
The Alliance’s goals are to halt the nationwide increase in childhood obesity by 2010, reverse the trend by 2015, and inspire young people and their families to develop lifelong healthy habits.
Articles, tips, and advice for parents of overweight kids.
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**Disclaimer** - We here at 100% People are not health care professionals. We have researched issues such as the one featured in the above article in detail to bring you the best of the information available to us at the time of print. We can not be held responsible for the health of our readers and would always urge someone to contact their G.P or a qualified specialist before making any change to their diet or lifestyle.
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