Childhood Obesity: What Is It and What Can Be Done About It

Obesity is at epidemic proportions in the United States, and childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years. In 2012, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese. This translates to more than 78 million obese adults and about 13 million obese children and adolescents. Being overweight is having excess body weight for a particular height, and obesity is having excess body fat.

The slow increase in weight has reached critical levels. In 2004, the CDC ranked obesity as the number one health risk facing Americans, resulting in more than 400,000 deaths per year. The U.S. public considers obesity second only to cancer as the most serious health issue it faces.

Eight out of ten people site too much TV and computer time as one of the most important reasons behind the high rates of obesity. Easy access to cheap fast food, and a lack of knowledge or desire about how to control weight is another major factor.

Check out this site to find the Dietary Guidelines for Americans:
http://www.health.gov/DietaryGuidelines/

Obese youth are more likely to  have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure, more likely to develop diabetes, at greater risk for bone and joint problems, and an increased risk for many types of cancer. Children and adolescents who are obese are very likely to be obese adults.

If this scares you, it should! So, what can be done about it? Healthy lifestyle habits, healthy eating, and physical activity can lower the risk of becoming overweight or obese and developing related diseases.  

Throughout this blog, I will provide you with information and educate you about healthy eating and the importance of daily physical activity. I will give you helpful tips, resources, and links that you can use to help you be the BEST YOU CAN BE! This is the place where you can interact, share your thoughts, your concerns, your experiences, ask questions, and get help on your journey to TOTAL FITNESS.

"To keep the body in good health is a duty. Otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear."

 What are you waiting for?

LET'S START LIVING HEALTHY NOW! 

 

Lorene Royster Cox
BA Education
Major: Health Education & Physical Education
ACE Fitness Instructor & Personal Trainer