Obesity is a serious condition that has claimed a number of premature deaths all around the world. Obesity is a growing epidemic that cannot be fixed by just pills or shots, it will take serious determination and cooperation from all parties involved to battle this dreaded disease. With the rise of obesity, the health risks that are associated with it have also risen. So, it is also vital to arm ourselves, as well as our youths, with reliable information regarding obesity and all of the risks that come with it.
Childhood obesity, in particular, is a more serious issue. Along with the rise of obesity in adults, children who suffer from obesity have also risen. This is critical because a high percentage of overweight children will grow into obese adolescents and eventually, into obese adults. The life expectancy of obese individuals that have been overweight since childhood is significantly reduced.
The health risks that are associated with child obesity include type II diabetes, heart disease, fatty liver disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. These are diseases that are not supposed to be experienced by a child, but because of the unhealthy lifestyle and poor diet that children across the world have, it’s no wonder people are dying at a very young age due to these diseases.
The key to defeating this global epidemic is not through miracle vaccine shots or magic pills. The key is prevention. However, it will not be as easy as it may sound. Winning the war against childhood obesity will take more than words of inspiration or pledges. It will require great sacrifices and dogged determination. A key factor in the prevention of childhood obesity is change. Not meaning to sound like President Barack Obama, but change is needed to win this war against obesity.
This is why sacrifice and determination is required, because a great change should happen if we want to prevent childhood obesity. Some of these changes should include the way we live, the way we eat, the way we spend our free time, and the way we look at life. Parents should be more involved with their children’s activities. Too much television or video games should not be tolerated. Too much tolerance is one problem that parents should really take a look at. Some parents just let their kids do whatever they want and eat whatever they want. This is not how we smite childhood obesity.
Prevention should start one household at a time. Prepare healthy meals for your family, encourage your kids to participate in school; or in neighborhood sports programs or any physically active programs; teach your kids the value of healthy living; and most of all, be a good example to your children. You should also be physically fit as parents for you to become good role models for your kids.
