Childhood obesity reasons and prevention tips

 Childhood obesity reasons and prevention tips

Are you worried about your child becoming obese? If yes, then you should take note of these facts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), childhood obesity has increased from 10% in 2020 to nearly 18% today. This means that over half of children between 2 and 19 years old are overweight or obese.

Reason for childhood obesity 

1. Lack of exercise

 Children who spend less time playing outside are more likely to become obese than children who play outside regularly. Children who don't get enough physical activity have lower levels of fitness and burn fewer calories.

 2. Poor diet

 Obesity is often caused by poor nutrition, especially if the child eats junk food instead of nutritious foods. Junk food is high in fat, sugar and salt and low in fiber.

 3. Too much television

 Television viewing has been linked to increased risk of obesity in children. Children who watch more than two hours of TV per day are twice as likely to be overweight or obese as those who watch less than 30 minutes of TV daily.

 4. Sleep deprivation

 Children who sleep less than eight hours a night are more likely to be overweight or even obese.

 5. Genetics

 Some people are born with genes that make them prone to being overweight. These genes may not change throughout their lives, but they do affect how much weight they gain over time.

How to prevent from childhood obesity 

1. Avoid fast food

 If you want to avoid being overweight as a child, then you should eat healthier foods. You should try to avoid eating junk food at home, and instead opt for fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and legumes. Try to limit yourself to two meals per day, and make sure they are balanced.

 2. Play outside

 When children play outside, they get plenty of exercise and burn off calories. If you have a backyard, then you should encourage them to spend time playing out there. When they do, they’ll burn off extra calories.

 3. Don't skip breakfast

 Breakfast is the most wanted meal of the day. Children who skip breakfast often end up overeating later in the day. Make sure that your kids eat something nutritious before school starts.

 4. Drink water

 Drinking lots of water helps keep your body well-hydrated and keeps you feeling full longer. Water also flushes toxins from your system and helps your digestive tract function properly.

 5. Exercise regularly

 Exercise is great for both adults and children. It burns calories and builds muscle mass. Find extra activities that your child enjoys doing.

 6. Eat right

 Eating right and nutrition food is just as important as exercising. Kids need to consume enough protein and fat to build strong muscles and bones. Also, they need to consume enough vitamins and minerals to stay healthy.

 7. Get some sleep

 Your body needs rest to heal and repair itself. Getting adequate sleep is important for your physical and mental wellbeing. Your children need 8 hours of sleep each night. Most kids don’t need naps.