The core problem of childhood obesity is due to the lack of understanding and education that parents have, parents need to equip themselves with the necessary skills, in order to maintain their children’s well being so that the unhealthy risk factors can be avoided. Unhealthy weight gain due to poor diet and lack of exercise is responsible for over 300,000 deaths each year. Helping parents will help shape children’s eating and activity habits.
Obesity is among the easiest medical conditions to recognize but most difficult to treat. Overweight children are much more likely to become overweight adults unless they adopt and maintain healthier patterns of eating and exercise which in turn will shorten their adult lifespan. There is a lot of responsibility on the parent's part in dealing with a child's problem. Many of the problems faced by parents of obese children are because of lack of knowledge. Parent's ignorance or unacceptance are the causes that force children to remain …show more content…
One of the big things that parents can do is to lead by example. Children do what they see. If parents are eating healthy food and have an active lifestyle, the child will in turn also adapt to that way of life. Some of the things that parents can do are; they can provide play equipment and the child can decide whether to play ball or jump rope. They can invite the child to help prepare lunch and to give healthy choices to prepare that lunch. Without a doubt it is much easier to adapt to changes if everyone around them is adapting the same new behaviors.
Eliminating snacking, excessive eating, empty calories and fast food all help to reduce weight and the risks of childhood obesity. After that, it is a matter of establishing good eating habits. Children first need to understand sensible portions. Then they must eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and grains. Combine this with just a little bit of physical activity, and immediate health benefits and physical changes will take …show more content…
“Childhood obesity leads to numerous health problems, including some that were once limited to adults. Type 2 Diabetes is now found in 45% of all new pediatric cases of diabetes. Moreover, 60% of all obese children ages 5 to 10 have risk factors for cardiovascular disease.” (Hassink, 2006) That means young children are suffering from high cholesterol, high blood pressure and elevated triglycerides, along with increased insulin production. Many obese children suffer sleep apnea or the cessation of breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea causes oxygen levels in the blood to fall drastically. The side effects are loss of memory, poor concentration, irritability and mood swings. As a result, human body is likely to grow exhausted than to become