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: Concern for Americans
Smoking, Drug abuse and Childhood Obesity are the top 3 health problems for Americans. According to this national Poll conducted by C.S. Mott children’s hospital, Internet safety is the major concern for American women. Teen pregnancy is the no.1 health problem for blacks. This survey was conducted in March 14-26, 2007, adult Americans were asked to rate 17 different health problems for children. Among the top 3 health problems, Smoking and Drug abuse are in gradual decline while Childhood obesity reached epidemic proportions due to lack of diet control and sedentary lifestyle. According to the survey, eating disorders and childhood cancer are not much concern for Americans. Other top health concerns for Americans:4. Alcohol abuse 5. Driving accidents 6. Teen Pregnancy 7. Internet safety 8. School violence 9. Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 10. Abuse and Neglect. Childhood Obesity: Courtesy: Foodfacts. Among these, Internet safety is a new concern while Childhood Obesity is the rapidly rising health problem for American adults. Parents should deaddict the children from Television and Internet. They should encourage the children to take more outdoor activities. Government should ban unhygienic junk food ads on television and print medium. Government should control violence and sex content in TV Channels and movies. These days, children are exposing to sex and violence at an early age. If this trend continues, teen pregnancy and school violence will occupy top slots in the future surveys. Please share your health concerns. … [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...]
Health problems due to Obesity
Obesity till recently seen as a disease of developed countries. It is not a cosmetic concern. Obesity is ultimately life threatening. Many Health risks are due to obesity. In the America, more than 3 Lac deaths are linked to obesity annually.In India, 120 million urban Indians are seriously obese. The Indian capital, New Delhi, is called as Obesity capital where 45% males and 55% females suffering from severe obesity. According to World health organization, the Obesity epidemic is increasing faster in developing countries than in the developed world. The prime cause for Obesity is Life style changes as a result of affluence and sedentary life style. We are taking more food with high calories and not burning enough of it with exercise. We know that fat is ugly, but many unaware that it is dangerous as well. Increased work hours and tremendous stress making it difficult for allocating time for exercise. One out of ten urban Indian children is overweight. India is now under fat Tsunami. Obesity in the western countries is associated with poverty while in developing countries; it is the problem of rich. A stout person is always a laughing stock. Health probelms in Obese persons: Obesity leads to life threatening medical conditions. 1. Rise in Blood pressure: If body weight is increased by 1 kg, the heart has to pump the blood more blood. Heart needs to work harder unnecessarily. It leads to heart attack. 2. Stroke: Due to Obesity, The blood supply to the brain is suffered and in tern leads to their rupture. It causes paralysis due to loss of blood supply to that brain tissue. 3. Sleep Apnoea 4. Breathlessness 5. Heart Diseases: hardening of blood vessels due to bad cholesterol and reasons explained above. 6. Rise in Cholesterol levels due to more fat and calories in the obese persons. 7. Stones in the Gall bladder: Fat, females and >40 years are risk factors for Gall stones. 8. Type 2 Diabetes: Obesity increases risk for type 2 diabetes. It makes diabetics insulin resistant. 9. Large bowel cancers: Due to fat food intake . 10. Infertility: Especially women who are obese are more prone to infertility. 11. Osteoarthritis: Bones become thinner and have to bear more weight. Joints are also affected. 12. Shape of the body: There is an increased cardio vascular disease in men with waist measuring more than 101 cm. (in women it is 89 cm). People whose belly is like apple fruit shape are at higher risk of heart diseases than pear shaped ones. So, Obesity is not a cosmetic problem, it is a medical condition. … [Read more...]
Obesify effects on Economy
Obesity is shaving 3% off production in poor countries while Malnutrition 25 off production. As per World Health Organization (WHO) report, Obesity has tripled in the past two decades. One in every 10 children and 1 in every five adults are now obese in the World. Obesity reduces life expectancy which causes direct effect on economy. With booming economies in third world countries, Obesity is now showing increasing trends in Latin American and other third world countries. … [Read more...]
