Obese

Obese.org.uk - Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is on the rise across the globe raising concern about a host of diseases which as a result are occurring at much earlier ages than in previous generations. For example, obese children are much more likely to have a premature heart attack and type two diabetes; which is generally only seen in adults whom have reached middle age and are overweight.

However, diseases that can occur later in life are only one of the many reasons why childhood obesity should be alarming to the parents and the nation. A large part of the rise in childhood obesity is suspected to correlate with the eating habits of parents since children simply consume what they are taught by their parents. Hence the rise in childhood obesity suggests that a large amount of people now have unhealthy eating habits which in turn mean more health problems across the nation.

In fact, in the UK alone a study completed in October 2008 revealed that almost 25% of boys and 33% of girls that are between the ages of 2 and 19 fall into the categories of obese or overweight children. This is estimated to cost the nation around £2b each year due to health problems that are associated with childhood obesity.

Even if the numbers are not overwhelming, the fact that childhood obesity is suspected to shorten the average life by nine years is cause for concern. In fact, some experts predict that in the future parents will begin to outlive children with weight problems.

The problem may arise from parents who look for the best from their children as a study completed at the Peninsula Medical School in Plymouth reported that almost 75% of all the parents in the study did not consider their child overweight when medically the child met the criteria. Additionally, 33% of mothers and 57% of fathers felt their child was the 'perfect' weight for their age when the child fell into the obese category.

Outside of the two health concerns mentioned previously, childhood obesity has also led to a rash of other problems that include a higher likelihood of developing cancer, high blood pressure and cholesterol, psychological problems, and joint problems. The main reason why childhood obesity is such a problem is not a mystery as children are not getting enough exercise in the new technological age mixed with a diet that is full of junk food and high in sodium. The pre-disposition of the newer parenting generation towards frozen dinners to save time is also a cause of concern. Most children also regularly eat more than a healthy serving size of saturates and sugar each day with only two portions of greens and fruits.

The increase in soda consumption as soda has grown much more affordable has also been linked to obesity although it is not the main factor, but simply another bad dieting choice that has led to the rising rate of obesity. Until children are taught properly to regulate their diet and eat healthier the numbers are expected to continue to grow.