Rise in child obesity gives cause for concern

by Laura Norris, news editor 

Obesity is a growing epidemic among not only adults, but children as well.

Obesity begins in early childhood and usually progresses into adulthood. That is why child obesity is an issue that needs to be addressed by parents for the sake of their children’s physical and mental health.

According to the organizational website www.obesity.org, today’s youth is the most inactive generation in history, and, therefore, the most obese. Obesity among boys and girls has quadrupled in the past 25 years. Boys between the ages of 6 and 11 are more likely than girls of the same age to be overweight and obese. For adolescents between the ages of 12 and 19, overweight prevalence for both sexes is about the same.

When I was growing up, I was definitely not obese, but I guess you could say I was pleasantly plump. My parents always taught me to eat everything on my plate, because we were “lucky to have food on the table,” and we were not to waste it.

 For those parents reading this article, do not force your children to do this. It encourages overeating. Once they are taught this mindset, they will ultimately follow it for the rest of their lives. I know I do, even though I now know that it is not good. The idea is to eat until you are full, and not another morsel. 

I think the reason that most parents enforce this controlling rule on their kids is that they didn’t want them to get hungry later and eat junk food. But there is no reason for that, especially since the invention of the ever-wonderful refrigerator. If your kids don’t eat everything at the dinner table, then slap some saran wrap around the leftovers and stow it away in the fridge for later.

But don’t worry parents. We are not putting all the blame on you. However, about 95 percent of that blame does go to you. Remember that you are your child’s initial role model for everything, and it is up to you to set a good example. Children are more susceptible to be overweight or obese if they have one parent who is overweight. So please keep this in mind, and stay healthy and fit.

There are endless ways that you can teach your child healthy eating and exercising habits. Just make sure you start at an early age, because old habits are hard to break.

Physical wellness is not the only thing you have to worry about when your child is overweight or obese. There also is mental health. When your kids eventually start school and make friends, they will have to go through the teasing and gossip that comes along with every childhood.

The added hardship of being overweight does not make it any easier for them. Do your child a favor and spare them the teasing. Buy healthy food, encourage physical activity and provide a lot of inspiring words to give them confidence. Sometimes that is the best thing to boost their motivation to live a healthier and happier life.