Identify the Problem and Find a Solution to your Child's Weight Gain.
If you have recently found yourself fretting over your child's waistline,
you are not alone. The youth of today are fatter than ever before, and
parents are starting to panic. Why are our kids so big, and what should we
do about it?
Childhood obesity has been described as an epidemic. It puts our children's
health at risk, making them more susceptible to problems involving their
cardiovascular systems, endocrine systems, and even their mental health.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus, depression, and low self-esteem are just the tip
of the iceberg when it comes to the problems looming over the heads of our
overweight children.
It is ironic that both the problem and the solution to this heavy problem
boil down to one simple equation. Energy In vs. Energy Out. When more energy
is consumed than is utilized, the result is fat storage. In short, our kids
eat too much and do too little.
Energy In
The Problem: Parents today are busier than ever before, navigating through
hectic schedules with convenient fast food restaurants lurking on every
corner. Our kids are eating more fried, processed, and sugary foods than we
did as children due mainly to the convenience factor. These foods are laden
with excessive calories that result in weight gain.
The Solution: Take time to evaluate your children's diet. Do they eat three
balanced meals a day? Do they eat at least 5 servings of fruits and
vegetables a day? Are they limited in their servings of fried, processed,
and sugary foods? Avoid buying sugar-filled snacks while grocery shopping,
fill your cart with fresh, healthy snacks instead. Make time to plan family
meals so that you don't find yourself in another drive thru.
Energy Out
The Problem: Computers, video games, and satellite T.V. are our children's
latest and greatest toys. Who has time to play outside when you are about to
beat the hardest level, or your favorite show is about to start? Our kids
participate in less physical activity and are more sedentary than any
generation before.
The Solution: Limit the time your children spend on sedentary activities,
such as T.V and video games. Sign your kids up on a local sports team so
that they can run and be active with other kids. Take the whole family to
the park on a weekend instead of gathering in front of the T.V.
As a parent, it is your unique responsibility to teach your children the
healthy habits that lead to good health. Children who are obese have a
greater chance of remaining obese into adulthood, thus greatly increasing
the likelihood of serious health problems. Talk to your children about their
eating habits, and activity levels, informing them of good choices versus
bad choices. Make it a family effort to start eating healthier and increase
physical activities, and you will be pleasantly surprised with the results!
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About The Author
Diana Keuilian, author, ACE certified Personal Trainer, and co-founder of
HitechTrainer.com offers online personal training and nutrition programs
that fit your budget and schedule. Whether your goal is to lose weight, firm
and tone, or to build muscle, HitechTrainer.com will build a custom designed
program just for you.
Visit: http://www.hitechtrainer.com/ and begin meeting your fitness goals
today!
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You are advised to consult a medical professional before attempting any kind of therapy based on the information on this site. For further details, please read our disclaimer.
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