| As fast food and other unhealthy eating options | | | | choose foods that are high in fat and that lack the |
| become more and more popular, the weight of the | | | | nutrients they need. |
| population is becoming more excessive. The | | | | It is important to know the initial signs of obesity and |
| demographic being highly effected by this shift to | | | | be able to catch the problem in its beginning stages, |
| unhealthy eating patterns is children. Childhood | | | | as this will make it easier to control. Parents can |
| obesity, a condition where excess body fat effects a | | | | encourage children to eat more fruits and vegetables |
| child's health or well being, is becoming a prominent | | | | while controlling the child's intake of high calorie snack |
| problem in society. There is a large range of factors | | | | and drink items. Keeping an eye on your child's diet is |
| that are the culprits for childhood obesity. Genetic, | | | | extremely important to avoid having them gain too |
| biological, behavioral and cultural factors appear to be | | | | much weight while they are young. Children are able |
| the most common causes. Understanding the specific | | | | to grow up healthier by ensuring that they have |
| cause of a child's obesity is challenging as these | | | | good nutrition and a balanced diet. It is crucial that |
| factors combine, each to a different degree. One | | | | children have a balanced diet, as this will supply them |
| thing that is known for sure is that obesity occurs | | | | with the nutrients and energy needed for their |
| when a child eats more calories than the body can | | | | growth. |
| burn up. Foods and drinks that are packed full of | | | | Weight gain may be the most obvious consequence |
| calories are easily available to children and | | | | of unhealthy eating, but childhood obesity can also |
| consequently lead the body to have a larger | | | | lead to conditions like diabetes, heart disease, sleep |
| collection of fat. | | | | problems as well as other disorders. In addition to |
| While children are reaching for fatty food options, | | | | bodily disorders, obesity can greatly reduce a child's |
| they are also participating less in physical activity. | | | | self esteem which can lead to depression. An |
| Physical inactivity is also a serious cause of childhood | | | | unfortunate truth is that some children are harassed |
| obesity. Physical activity is what helps maintain a high | | | | and discriminated against for being overweight. This |
| metabolism and so those children that aren't | | | | kind of bullying is detrimental to a child's sense of self |
| exercising are prone to gain weight, as the body is | | | | worth, as it can make them feel unwanted. |
| unable to burn fat effectively. Constant physical | | | | To maintain a healthy and balanced diet, be sure that |
| inactivity leaves unused energy in the body, which | | | | your child is eating whole wheat bread, cereals, fruits |
| ends up being stored as fat. The popularity of | | | | and vegetables. Meat, fish and milk are also |
| watching TV, playing video games and the endless | | | | necessary for the proteins they provide. Ensuring |
| hours spent using the computer are all factors leading | | | | that your child is getting the proper amount of |
| to children being more inactive and thus, leading to | | | | calcium and iron, a deficiency of either of these can |
| fat storage in the body. | | | | effect bone growth. |
| Another common problem is found right at the family | | | | Obesity can be controlled through healthy eating and |
| dinner table. The foods that children choose to eat | | | | regular exercise. However, it is especially important |
| are influenced by family meals. Many parents let their | | | | that parents of obese child do not focus only on |
| children decide for themselves what they'd like to | | | | their weight gain. Instead, parents should ensure that |
| eat, and since children are not yet educated on the | | | | they are emphasizing the child's strengths and |
| importance of making healthy food choices, they | | | | positive qualities. |