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Overweight ChildrenOverweight children has become one of the most pressing health crises in the United States and has now spread to many other countries and continents. Even if you start out in your home with healthy eating habits, once your child gets to school things seem to change. I know we can’t totally blame the schools, but they are not helping these overweight children or any children for that matter, by having vending machines in their cafeterias or hallways with soda pop, chocolate bars and other unhealthy foods. I have heard lately that vending machines are being removed from some school and a healthier menu is available. Yeah for some health awareness! The School and The Local Hamburger Joint If you live near a school, I believe, it is no coincidence that you probably live near a fast food restaurant too. There have been studies done in both Boston and Chicago showing statistics about fast food restaurants, hot dog stands, etc., being located near schools. Look around your neighbourhood. Where are the schools in relation to the local fast food restaurants, like McDonalds or Wendy’s? It is no wonder Type 2 diabetes, binge eating and overweight children are becoming an epidemic. We cannot just blame candida for overweight children but we can still blame all the sugar laden foods and lack of proper nutrition for poor health, resulting in bowel issues and perhaps candida. Actually in my neighbourhood,in downtown Toronto, there is one shop that is only open during school season and school hours. It closes during school holiday periods. Also, there is a portable hot dog stand on the corner, which is driven there every morning and leaves every evening. Along with many local small restaurants serving pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs and soda pop within a minimum of a five minute walk from the school. Causes of Childhood Obesity
Eats more calories than he or she expends Too much fat in the diet Too much sugar in the diet Family genetics The likelihood of an overweight child being overweight as an adult is very possible. Lifestyle
They stay up too late either doing homework or instant messaging until the wee hours of the morning. They attempt to replace their lost sleep with calorie rich snacks – that wonderful piece of chocolate cake that’s in the fridge, perhaps! Vending machines are usually available to them in schools and shopping centers which always look tempting, especially when they have missed their proper nutrition. Schools serve pizza and burgers for a fraction of the cost of a balanced, nutritious meal. It is not all the child's fault, a young person being brought up in a home with overweight parents might feel hopeless about ever being thin. We must look to the parents to make some changes too. Whatever has happened to our eating healthy foods? We can’t only look at what happens outside of the home either. Parents are working harder and longer hours than ever before. Good, nutritious foods should be available and affordable to everyone! Instead, restaurants and fast packaged dinners have replaced healthy, home-cooked meals. Sodas and sugar-laden juices have replaced water. Diet coke fools us into believing that this is a healthier choice. It isn’t! As a society, we have created an environment that enables food addiction and obese children and adults! America’s fast food culture has made high-fat, caloric foods available to individuals of every background, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. There is usually a corner grocery chain nearby with a minimum of fresh fruits and vegetables but there will be a good supply of frozen, already prepared meals along with white bread and sugar laden fruit drinks. No Magic Formulas As you know, there are no magic formulas to lose weight. A nutritional program and more physical activity is the key. Dieting alone, does not do the job! By increasing activity, this improves glandular function and in turn increases the metabolic rate and help the body burn off calories. In Dr. Rodier's book called Sweet Death, he states that in June 2006, he proposed a program called "Adopt A School". This was for each doctor in the State of Utah to go to their chosen school and motivate parents, teachers and children to give up refined foods. If doctors did work on prevention, millions of dollars in health care would be saved. Just as a reminder, we as a society, created this environment that supports our sugar addiction and obese children. Now, after reading this, as a society what can we do to help our overweight children? Prevention is better than 'fixing' an overweight issue.
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