Understanding Childhood Obesity Statistics is Your First Step

Childhood obesity statistics continue to show an increasing trend in America.

More and more of our young children suffer with overweight and obesity issues.

Deep concern is beginning to strike many people to the core in our nation.

As these childhood obesity statistics continue to rise, our children's health continues to decline.

Not only is being overweight unhealthy for our children, it can become a lifelong struggle with obesity.

In most cases, this is the facts.

• More than 30% of our nation's children remain overweight.
• More than 15% of our nation's children remain obese.
• Both childhood obesity statistics remain steady in both the 6 to 11 age group and the 12 to 19 age group.
• If just one parent of the child is obese, the likelihood of the child becoming obese is 79%.
• Between 1971 to 1974 obese boys equaled 4.3%.
• Obese girls between 1971 to 1974 equaled 3.6%.
• Between 1999 to 2000 obese boys equaled 16%.
• Obese girls between 1999 to 2000 equal to 14.5%.

As a registered nurse and as a parent, these childhood obesity statistics frighten me!

Our children's health is our greatest asset.

Why is this happening?

• Many people in our society, including me, believe it is because of:
• Unhealthy diets.
• Unhealthy lifestyles.
• Because of the hectic lives parents lead; fast food is now a staple.
• Computer games.
• Television.

In other words, our children's exercise habits declined.

What happened to bike riding and playing tag?

Our children need to burn off more calories than they consume.

• Teach your children to eat a healthy diet.
• Go outside and play with your children.
• Make exercise a family event.
• Give your child three meals and one or two snacks per day.
• Offer your child a variety of foods such as whole grains, vegetables and fruits, low-fat dairy foods, lean meats, and beans.
• Do not be too strict with your child's diet. Fast foods and sweets can still be eaten, but they should be eaten less often and in smaller amounts.
• Do not force your child to eat all the food only his or her plate.
• Allow your child to decide when he or she is full. This may help your child to learn to stop eating when he or she is full.
• Make sure your family eats breakfast. Skipping breakfast often leads to overeating later in the day.
• For lunch, pack baby carrots are pretzels instead of potato chips in your child's lunchbox.
• For dinner, make it a habit to add vegetables to your meals.
• Limit the amount of sugar in your child's diet. Offer water or low-fat milk instead of soft drinks, fruit juice drinks and sports drinks.
• Keep healthy snacks in the house such as fruits, vegetables, low-fat popcorn, low-fat yogurt or fat-free pudding.
• Eat out at fast food restaurants less often. When you do eat out, choose restaurants with healthier food choices.

Remember, what you teach your child now about being healthy will help them grow up to be healthy adults.

The opposite is also true.

No parent wants an unhealthy child.

You can stop your child from becoming the next childhood obesity statistic.

Will you help your child overcome their weight issues by starting today?