| Recently the childhood obesity has taken a form of | | | | on a regular basis does not provide the necessary |
| endemic in the United States. Rate of childhood | | | | nutrients and had more fat, and calories. Lack of |
| obesity has increased by 5 fold from 1970s to the | | | | essential nutrients may have a negative effect on |
| current time. Consumption of food rich in calories and | | | | the children especially at the growing years. |
| fats are the main culprits for this increasing trend in | | | | Consumption of excessive calories, unless balanced |
| the childhood obesity. A major part of this increase | | | | by physical activity would lead to increased body fat |
| calorie intake by children comes from consumption of | | | | and obesity. Increasing trend towards consumption of |
| fast food. | | | | fast food is a major contributor to childhood |
| In 1970s fast food constituted only 2 percent of the | | | | overweight and obesity. |
| daily meal of a child and by mid 1990s this has | | | | Parents and teachers of children should make every |
| increased to 10 of the daily meal of our children. | | | | effort to make our children realize the dangers of |
| Today one tenth of our children aged between 2 and | | | | fast food. They should be briefed about the negative |
| 5 years and 15% of children between ages 6 and 19 | | | | health implications of fast food consumption. The |
| are overweight. | | | | parents should value nutrition and make healthy diet a |
| A recent study conducted by the United States | | | | family priority thus passing the good message to |
| Department of Agriculture looked at the food intake | | | | children. |
| data of children in the United States. These | | | | In 1970s children spent much time in outdoor |
| researchers analyzed data from 6,212 school children | | | | activities. In our modern lives children do not get as |
| with ages ranging from 4 to 19 years. The study | | | | much physical activity they should be getting. Our |
| found that children who ate fast food consumed | | | | children spend more time on the computers, |
| significantly higher number of calories compared to | | | | television and video games. Our children and youth do |
| those children who did not consume fast food. They | | | | not eat healthy meals and do not meet |
| found that those children who ate fast food had | | | | recommended levels of physical activity. Greater |
| significantly higher consumption of fat, saturated fat, | | | | emphasis on good nutrition, avoidance of fast food |
| and carbohydrates. Also those children who | | | | and increased physical activity are the corner stones |
| consumed fast food added more sugar to their | | | | of a healthy childhood. Every parent and teacher |
| meals, drank more of sweetened beverages and ate | | | | should contribute toward the goal of bringing up our |
| less milk, fiber and vegetables. | | | | children healthy. |
| This study has shown that consumption of fast food | | | | |