I developed a deep love for Dr. Pepper and Whataburger at a young age. Being born and raised in Houston, Texas, my love for fast food shouldn’t have come as a surprise, but what surprised my folks is when they were told that I was obese at a young age. Even more of a surprise are the facts surrounding childhood obesity: about 1 out of 5 American children are obese. While common, childhood obesity affects the present and future well-being of children. The month of September is dedicated to raising awareness and educating families over childhood obesity so everyone can live longer and healthier lives.
Childhood obesity is starting to become much more common within the US. Generally, obesity is the result of excessive caloric and fat consumption (US National Library of Medicine). There has been, however, “supporting evidence that excessive sugar intake by soft drinks, increased portion size, and steady decline in physical activity,” have contributed to the rising obesity rates (US NLM). With obesity being common it is easy to ignore but there are real consequences in being obese: “childhood obesity can profoundly affect children’s physical health, social, and emotional well-being, and self-esteem” (US NLM). The access to cheap fast food, videogames, and sugar has increased our rates of obesity.
To prevent childhood obesity, the entire family must be made aware of the steps they can take to begin to live healthier lives. There is no simple solution to solving childhood obesity: it requires lifestyle changes and patience. The CDC lists the 5 most important changes a family can make to help prevent childhood obesity:
These steps provide a solid foundation to prevent childhood obesity. Also, just as important is the ability for the entire family to model these healthy habits. Children are unable to make these changes on their own—much less keep them consistent. If children go out with their parents for a walk, however, and see them spending more time with each other rather than screens, then they would be able to instill healthier habits easily.
“It is important to remember that with children we are not talking about dieting,” says Dr. Shari Jackson general pediatrician and Director of Pediatrics for Community Health Network,
“Dieting implies moderate calorie restriction for a designated amount of time to cause weight Closs. It is generally not sustainable long-term. We want to teach children and their families healthy eating habits so they can eat a variety of foods and learn to have treats in moderation so they can be healthy over their lifetime”
These habits set up children to live happy and healthy lives. If you feel that your child is obese, it is important to schedule an appointment with your doctor. Kids carry weight differently depending on a variety of factors: thus, it is important to get a medical professional to help determine if your child is obese. Community Health Network can help support its patients by providing holistic family care and pediatric services. If you would like to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment, feel free to visit our website or give us a call at (281) 824-1480.
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