So how do parents and educators find the balance between being supportive and being responsible?
The federal National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey estimates that about a third of all children and teens are overweight—16% obese. Recently, research has shown correlations between childhood obesity and an increased risk of adult multiple sclerosis. Obese teenage girls have also recently been shown to be at risk for infertility as adults. Both sexes of overweight teens are at an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes.
Past studies have proven the association between being overweight and such conditions as cardiovascular disease and various forms of cancers.
The consistent rise in childhood obesity is blamed on several factors. Perhaps the main focus is the decline in outdoor activities. As technology continues to produce new gaming systems, online adventures, and advanced media outlets, outdoor play becomes less and less desired. This theory has grown quite popular over the last several years, but some argue that technology can't take all the responsibility. Schools and parents need to share the blame as well.
Schools are slowly starting to squeeze physical education out of their curriculum as budget concerns weigh more heavily upon them, and lunches are often nutritional disappointments. Parents are often busy, leaving dinner up to what is easiest to get on the table, and not putting as much thought in nutrition as before.
It sounds like a never-ending cycle!
Talking to kids about eating healthy and staying fit shouldn't have to accompany excuses. It can be far easier—delicate yes—but far less complicated than it seems.
The National Dairy Council and the National Football League have joined forces on the "Fuel Up to Play 60" initiative aimed at getting kids to make healthier choices in their lives.
Another online resource, and one that has seemingly snowballed with enthusiasts, is the joint efforts of the William J. Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association's creation, "empowerME." This Web site offers tons of recipes and tools for meeting weight goals, and teaches participants how to become advocates in their homes, schools, and communities.
