The latest statistics on childhood obesity point out to the alarming rate with which it has increased in the last few decades.?? In 1982 4% of children fell into the obese category.? The number has increased to around 20% as of 2012.? Today over 30% of American kids are just plain fat.? Looking at the long-term consequences, the www.ASPE.hhs.gov website for the US Department of Health and Human Services says ?overweight adolescents have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults, which increases to 80% if one or more parent is overweight or obese.
How does this translate?? Frighteningly!? The cost of obesity for an obese 18 year old that remains obese throughout adulthood is estimated at approximately $549,907. 60% already have at least one risk factor for heart disease. 25% showing early signs of type II diabetes?which is 100% related to diet, according to information found at www.annecollins.com/obesity/statistics-obesity.htm.
Food for thought.
??More than 25 million kids in America are obese.
??Children from low-income families are at increased risk of developing this condition. One out of every seven children from such families is obese.
??More than 70% of the obese youth are at higher risk of heart diseases.
??The hospital costs for children which stood at 35 million in the 1980s, have reached to a staggering 127 million today.
??Type 2 diabetes has reached to the levels of 8-9 %; a two-fold increase from the early 1980s. ??Obese children are at a higher risk of developing liver diseases, asthma and Sleep Apnea (problems in breathing while sleeping).
??Children with obesity have a low self-esteem and the chances of developing psychological problems like depression and anxiety are higher.
??Obese children have lesser concentration levels and get tired easily, which can pose challenges in their education and their participation in other extra-curricular activities.
??Obese children are subject to a lot of social discrimination and this may cause them to stay away from exercises and social interactions.
??Most people who complain of arthritis are middle-aged, but obese children are at the risk of developing this disease early on in their lives.
Obesity also takes a toll on the financial health of a family as estimates suggest that a family with an obese child spends 30% more in health costs and 77% more in medication costs. What is going on?? Are the parents of obese kids always obese?? No, not necessarily.? We can think of plenty of slim parents whose children appear to be headed for some serious and possibly irreversible trouble.? What are we doing to our children and why?
When we ?reward? our kids (or ourselves for that matter) with a sweet treat?what really is the reward?? Instead of teaching good hard core values?like take care of yourself you?ve only got one ?vehicle?, it is pretty spectacular and it will need to last a lifetime?we are giving a serious mixed message.? Good behavior deserves a sugary fatty treat (subtext: Behavior that if ?rewarded? often enough, will lead to a lifetime of misery and ill health.)
Children are sponges.? If we think hard work, good grades, superior athletic performance or just plain decent public behavior should be ?rewarded? with the very things that will make us fat and sick, what is the message we are giving.? Can it change?? Can we think about some positive ways, other than food, to send a message that says, ?I?m proud of you.? Nice job.? Keep it up.?
We?re parents.? We admit we, too, have been guilty of bribing, rewarding and otherwise using sweets to ?reward? the behavior we desire in our children.? We?d love to hear how some of you are working to set positive examples that build a sense of pride vs. setting the stage for ultimate obesity.
Your thoughts and comments are always welcome.
Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/child-obesity-statistics-in-america2011.html
Source: http://turbocharged.us.com/from-skinny-to-fat-how-does-it-happen-2/
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.