Childhood Obesity in America: A Threatening Epidemic that Must be Given Solution

Obesity is a disorder that should not be ignored. This is because of the fact that this is at an epidemic level in the United States of America nowadays. Statistics show that in the previous 30 years, the number of overweight children has tripled up to 15%. By summing up the obese and overweight statistics together, you will find out that 1/3 of the nation has overweight children. This is one of the health problems battled by the healthcare professionals and workers at present.

But the key in order to have a right solution for childhood obesity in America is to know the cause of the problem. Actually, doctors say that there are only two factors that trigger obesity in children. The very first is wrong diet and the second one is lack of exercise. The combination of sedentary lifestyle and fast food diets are just two of the toughest reasons why America is having more and more overweight children as time passes by. Because of these, children are already facing health problems that are also faced by adults. Some of these are heart diseases, diabetes and high cholesterol as well.

Aside from physiological problems, doctors say that childhood obesity in America also has serious psychological impact. According to studies conducted by professionals and experts, overweight children tend to have lower self-confidence than the others. If this would not be dealt with well, they will never have the chance to interact with other children in playing and other physical activities. As they grow older carrying the disorder, they will always feel discriminated or stigmatized by the society. Because of the feeling of inadequacy in body, some teenagers are experiencing bulimia and anorexia nervosa. But in the case of obese children, they feel so inferior because they are bullied and teased.

In giving the solutions to childhood obesity, it is important that you know its latest statistics. If you have an obese child, you should know that he or she has a tendency to be 70% more obese when he or she reached adulthood stage. From 1980 to 2008, the occurrence of obesity among children from 6-11 years has reached up to 6.5 percent. There are also lots of factors that can lead to the severity of childhood obesity such as joint problems, breast cancer, heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, stroke, poor self-confidence and depression as well.  Just last year, the government of United States declared that type 2 diabetes and obesity are two of the national epidemics.

If there is a problem, then there is also a solution. Treating or preventing obesity is not difficult unless parents will do their part in disciplining their children in diet and exercise. After all, it is the healthy lifestyle that counts a lot. By beginning within their family, parents will be able to identify the things that they must do to in order to have a great plan for a better change.

It is not too late to cure the childhood obesity in America!

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