|
|
|
Adults can help children overcome obesityChildhood obesity is no laughing matter. "Supersize portions are leading to supersize kids and supersize health problems," said Dr. Debra Reed, Texas Cooperative Extension nutrition specialist. "According to the 1999-2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 15 percent of children and adolescents from 6 to 19 years old are overweight," she said. "This represents a nearly three-fold increase since the 1960s." The problem is serious on many levels, added Dr. Steve Green, Extension child development specialist. "Unhealthy weight gain due to poor diet and lack of exercise is thought to be responsible for over 300,000 deaths each year in the United States, with the annual cost to society estimated at over $100 billion," he said, quoting 2003 figures from the office of the U.S. Surgeon General. Information from National Hospital Discharge Survey of 1979 through 1999 shows annual hospital costs relating to obesity in children ages 6 to 17 increased from $35 million to $127 million. Obese children often grow into obese adults, and obesity in adults has been linked to many seriouhealth issues, Reed and Green wrote in an article for Child Care Connections News letter. These issues include type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and some cancers, such as colon, gall bladder, prostate and kidney, as well as trouble breathing, arthritis and other joint problems. But for heavier children, the problems can cut much deeper than that. Researchers from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry have found that too much poundage can also damage children's psychosocial and emotional development, Green said. The problems can get worse as the children get older. Researchers at the University of Minnesota found that overweight teenagers were more likely to be teased and, as a consequence, more likely to think about--or even attempt--suicide. The UM researchers also linked teasing to low self-esteem, dissatisfaction with body and depression. Gloomy as the outlook is, Reed and Green said it doesn't have to be that way. Prevention is the key. Parents and grandparents, caregivers, teachers and other concerned adults can take steps--literally--to help the children they love prevent becoming overweight. They offered some suggestions: --Promote different kinds of physical activity. Whether inside or out, encourage children to run, jump, walk, climb and crawl, Green said. And join in--children love it when their adults jump and run with them. "There are endless ways to engage children in fun, creative and physically active games and activities," he said. "Just use your imagination!" Try these on for size: flying kites, jumping rope, washing the family vehicle, dancing, climbing on playground equipment, playing ball, taking a walk or going on a nature hike, flying homemade paper airplanes or throwing a Frisbee. --Make sure the children get some kind physical play each day. "Regular physical activity is extremely important for the prevention of overweight and obesity," Reed said. In addition to promoting healthy bones and muscles, improving balance and coordination, and building self-esteem, physical activity "decreases the risk of developing serious health problems in later years," she added. Try for at least an hour of this kind of activity each day, she recommended, but those 60 minutes can be broken up into 15- or 30-minute increments. --Limit screen time. That includes time spent watching television and/or playing computer games. "While there is nothing inherently wrong with such activities," Green said, "they do take away from time that can be spent in physical activities." The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than two hours each day for screen time. --Use the Food Guide Pyramid to provide nutritious meals and snacks. Go to www.usda.gov/news/usdakids/food_pyr.html for information on making good nutritional choices for children, Reed said. "Make sure that you offer children a variety of foods from all of the food groups and that you provide age-appropriate portion sizes." --Cut back on consumption of sugar-based drinks, including sodas, since these drinks have been linked to high amounts of unnecessary sugar in children's diets. Instead, have plenty of water, 100 percent fruit juice and low-fat milk on hand. "Even healthy beverages should be consumed in moderate amounts, (so) watch portion sizes so excess calories are not consumed," Reed said. --Eat more meals at home as a family for better nutrition and more opportunities for family communication, Reed said. --Set a good example. "Like it or not, children view you as a role model," Green said. "Therefore, if you want children to eat healthy meals and snacks. they need to see you eating healthy meals and snacks. If you want them to participate, fully, in physical activities, you need to help them see the importance by participating yourself. Your actions speak louder than your words!" --Teach children not to tease. Teasing hurts, whether intentional or not, Green said. And overweight children often are the targets of teasing. "Make it clear to children that teasing is not acceptable," he said. "At the same time, help children feel good about their bodies, even if they are overweight or obese." --Be a participant in the children's lives. Parents, caregivers and other caring adults are on the front lines of battling obesity in children. Learn to make good nutritional choices and establish a routine of healthy physical activity for the whole family, no matter what their ages. "Making healthier food choices and increasing physical activity will have benefits for the whole family, regardless of family members' weight status," Reed said. For more information on this and other childhood issues, visit Extension's Family and Consumer Science Department website at http://fcs.tamu.edu and click on the link to Family Life. Child Care Connections newsletter is part of the National Network for Child Care, part of the National Extension Service Children and Youth Family Network. 9/22/08 Date: 9/17/08 Advertisement
Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2009. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com |
Market Snapshot Inside Futures |
