Pediatric overweight or childhood obesity has been an issue for many years now. But we haven?t seen people talking about it much. In India, chubby kids are considered ?healthy? and ?cute?. They look attractive, pulling their cheeks is fun and parents feel proud to move around with chubby babies, toddlers and even kids above 5 years of age.
The major problem with parents in our nation is that they reward children with something sweet or any of their favourite junk food. And if they have to punish the children, it has to be via depriving children from their favourite treats. Children are exposed to yummy and tempting treats like donuts, candies, jellies, burgers, etc. This is also the reason India has seen a substantial rise in the number of overweight children over the past decades.
But extra weight in children is neither ?cute? nor ?healthy?. The extra weight comes with a long list of health problems rarely seen in earlier days especially in young children. Health problems associated with overweight children in India include:
? Type 2 diabetes
? Joint pain
? High Blood Pressure
? Joint malformation
? Elevated blood lipids
? Reactive airway disease
? Low self esteem
Now before you start taking steps to fight obesity in children, it is important to understand that there isn?t a single cause of childhood obesity.
According to some health experts, excessive consumption of sweetened beverages such as soda, cola, and packaged juices are the major reason behind childhood obesity. Children also indulge in high fat snacks with low nutritional value such as potato chips.
Another reason is lack of physical activities among children of modern age. These days, children are more interested in playing computer games, PS III, play station etc. When they are not playing games, they watch television. There is a serious dip in the level of physical activity among children of all ages.
The combination of low nutrition fattening foods and lack of physical activities has made children of today lazy and fat. Children are gaining too much weight too fast.
So what is the solution? As with any health issue, prevention is the key in case of childhood obesity too.
Here are some vital steps to fight childhood obesity:
Step 1: Avoid Rewarding your Child with Food
It is not wise to reward children with food or punishing them via depriving them off their favourite food. The habit may encourage overeating and overindulgence of fattening food in children.
Step 2: Physical Activities
Play badminton, cricket, or football with your kid when you get free time. This will help keep their mind off the lazy games. You should also encourage your children to walk as much as they can. Create an example via exercising and walking in front of them. Let your children see you sweat. Explain how good it makes you feel.
Step 3: Don?t let them Crave
Allow them to have their favourite pack of chips and sweets in moderation so that they don?t crave for more or overindulge in these treats when they get a chance to.
Step 4: Conscious Eating
Yes, you heard it right. These days, people are in the habit of allowing their child eating in front of television or computer games. This way, they tend to overeat. Promote conscious eating via turning off the TV, radio and computer games during meals and snacks.
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Tags: child obesity, child obesity causes, childhood obesity, childhood obesity causes, how to fight obesity, obesity prevention, pediatric obesity, Steps to Fight Childhood ObesitySource: http://www.foodfitnesslifelove.com/food-recipe/4-steps-to-fight-childhood-obesity/
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