Obesity in Children
Obesity has been hounding adults for sometimes due to life style changes but it is now becoming a cause for concern as it has begun affecting children in a big way. In the US and UK 15% of adolescent children (age group 12-19) are obese and these numbers are on a rise.
While obesity is partly genetic, other causes include intake of more than the required calories. Children feast on potato chips, cola and junk food, in lieu of regular wholesome meals and so they are not satiated. They are hungry sooner reverting back to these comfort foods. Added to this, is a sedentary or inactive life style with television and computers having replaced outdoor games. In fact, children do not have an open ground to play because of the ever expanding concrete jungle. Steps have to be taken as early as possible as obese children end up as obese adults. Obesity leads to physical ailments like heart disease and stroke, as well as emotional and social problems.
Parents must ensure that children have wholesome meals, adequate physical activity which goes beyond punching buttons and adequate sleep to keep stress at bay. I f ca tight early, obesity can be dealt with easily.
