Eating fast foods, lack of exercise, soft drinks and TV advertisements are the major reasons for increase in childhood obesity among American children, according to the research study published in the American Journal of Preventive medicine. This research study was done by researchers at Michigan University and the the University of Illinois at Chicago. Schools are providing easy access to the high-fat, high-sugar and salty foods thereby encouraging unhealthy diet habits. Students are avoiding physical education classes as they are getting older. Most schools offer easy access to soft drinks for extra income. Television advertisements are playing major role in increasing junk food eating habits. Surprisingly, teens from lower-income families are eating more junk foods due to lack of money to buy healthy foods, according to the study. One in 6 American children and teens are overweight, according to the US Surgeon general office. 70% of these overweight children will grow into obese adults. Obesity is major risk factor for causing type 2 Diabetes and hypertension. Depression is more in obese children due to low self-esteem. Parents should create ideal environment for children to increase physical activity in them. They should control TV watching habits and unhealthy diet habits. Childhood Obesity already reached epidemic proportions especially in developed countries. If proper measures are not taken, this time bomb will explode by causing chronic diseases like Diabetes when they will get older. Parents, schools and Governments should play active role in controlling childhood obesity. … [Read more...]
Childhood Obesity – effect of junk food ads
Junk ads on your Television are one of the main reasons for increase in childhood obesity rates. As per new study conducted by Kaiser Foundation, a non-profit organization, effect of junk ads is more on 8-12 year old children as they are not able to distinguish between ads and TV programmes. So it is not good to allow junk food ads during TV programmes which are aimed at children. The study found that kids get exposed to over 18,000 ads each year with over a third of the ads for junk foods. 8-12 age group children are exposed to as many as 21 ads per day. Teenagers are exposed to 15-17 junk food ads per day. Most of these ads are not about fruits or vegetables, but about foods which are advised by nutritionists as not good for health. Courtesy: SFPix.com Childhood Obesity statistics: More than 30% of children are over weight of which 15% are Obese. Obesity is more prevalent among boys than girls. A study of 13 industrialised nations suggests that children of Australia are worse affected by these fast food ads. Childhood Obesity is taking epidemic proportions as children are taking more unhealthy diet with little exercise. Diabetes especially type II is on rise in children as they are taking more junk diet. Children who are taking more junk diet are at risk for diabetes, heart attack and stroke in later life at an early age. Prevention of Childhood Obesity: 1. Governments should ban or limit ads on junk food. 2. Governments, teachers and voluntary organizations should increase awareness among children on the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables. 3. Parents should take care of television viewing habits of their children. 4. Parents should encourage their children to do more exercise. 5. Parents should act as role models to their children as kids try to imitate them. Please comment on this article. … [Read more...]
