Childhood Obesity

Children today are facing numerous risks. One that is easily preventable is the epidemic of childhood obesity. In order to fix a problem we must first recognize the cause. Blame has been placed on TV, video games, junk food, fast food, busy parents and the reasons go on and on. Growing up I watched TV, played video games, even ate candy, junk food, and occasionally got a happy meal. My parents stayed busy working full time jobs while having their hands full with me and my 2 little sisters. They took us all around town and sometimes the state to practice, games, and other activities that we were involved in.
So what is so different about kids today? One factor that is often overlooked is the lack of activity in children today. Growing up I was outside running, jumping, climbing, crawling, throwing, hitting, and playing anything until dark. In grown up world we call that a workout, but to a kid it’s just playing. Kids need to play. It is not only good for physical development but also vital for the development of their brain and nervous system. Studies have shown that active children perform better in school than their inactive peers.

Another major contributing factor is the food they are given. A 2004 study revealed that 1/3 of kids under the age of 19 years old eat fast food everyday! Fast food consumption increased 5 fold from 1970 to 2000. Where do these kids get the fast food? Kids eat junk because we give them junk. Type 2 diabetes, formerly known as Adult Onset Diabetes, accounted for 45% of pediatric diabetic cases in the 90’s compared to only 4% before 1990. A few comorbidities associated with childhood obesity are depression, high blood pressure, esophageal reflux, and sleep apnea. Even heart disease is being detected in children as young as 5 years old. 60 % of obese children ages 5-10 have at least one cardiovascular risk with 25% having more than one. These comorbidities were once only found in older populations but are now rapidly increasing in our youth.

Kids eat what they are given. Growing up I personally did not eat the healthiest food. I actually didn’t eat a lot of vegetables, but then again I very rarely ate fast food. Food packed full of high fructose corn syrup and preservatives are a detrimental factor in the modern day diet.

Preventing childhood obesity begins with us. It is up to us to improve the future. One in five kids age 6-17 is overweight. Studies show that overweight children are more likely to be overweight adults with increased health risk which results in decreased quality and quantity of life. Overweight parents are more likely to have overweight children, so the cycle continues. We must break the cycle. Be the solution and not the cause. Get out and play with the kids. Sit down to a home cooked meal. Quality time along with exercise and good food will be beneficial to all. It is more often our habits and not our genetics that we pass on to our children.

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. – Proverbs 22:6

Be Better

-TILLER

Small Changes Lead to Big Difference

Little changes make a big difference in the end. A small change now can result in a big change over time. Health and fitness industry often bombards us with the before and after pictures in advertisements but we never see what happened in between. So how do people lose 100 pounds or drop 12 dress sizes or get ripped abs? It didn’t happen over night. It took time and effort. Lots of effort and time. But it all started with one small change. Change is something that we naturally resist. Our bodies naturally reject change, especially severe radical changes. The majority of people who have successfully quit smoking did it gradually. Cold turkey often leads to severe cravings that the mind is not strong enough to resist and you’re back where you started. So if you want to make a change make it gradual.

Drinking 5 cokes a day? Start with substituting 1 with some water. You still get 4 a day.
Going out to eat everyday? Pack a healthy meal twice a week.
Sugary snacks at work? Bring some fresh fruit to work.

Take a few minutes to improve your life. Small steps will turn into a great journey to a better you.

Be Better
-TILLER