GUEST COMMENTARY: Obese Children Grow To Be Obese Adults
Obese children grow to be obese adults. According to recent studies this is a serious concern. In fact, the Florida State Surgeon General last year, launched an initiative targeting this issue. Through the Healthiest Weight initiative, the Department of Health is partnering with community groups and other partners including early education providers to implement programs that focus on:
- Increasing the initiation, duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding.
- Promoting improved nutrition and physical activity in early care and education.
- Encouraging improved nutrition in schools.
- Increasing the physical activity for students during the school day and after school programs.
- Increasing access to high-quality, affordable foods in communities.
- Increasing physical activity by improving the built environment in communities.
- Promoting health professional awareness and counseling of patient body mass index
Children who are overweight or obese at two to five years old are five times more likely to become obese adults. Many factors contribute to childhood obesity. To solve this problem, we must first identify it. Lack of physical exercise, snack time all the time, etc. The increasing popularity of fast foods is a problem. Water consumption as a basic need rather than merely an alternative to sugar-sweetened drinks is another.
Obesity in young children can put them at risk for high cholesterol, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, musculoskeletal issues, heat rash, fungal infections, acne, etc. Educating parents and families about healthy lifestyle choices (and changes) will definitely help to lessen obesity in children. Children need to be taught which foods are healthy. Children at risk for obesity should be in the care of a health care provider or who specializes in child hood obesity. There are family unit programs available for families dealing with this issue.
Your family doctor, registered dietician or nutritionist can help with structured weight management and food discipline. Educating families about healthy lifestyles is a way to safely mange obesity. Exercise too, is critical with the added benefit of strengthening bones and muscles. A physically active child very quickly burns calories compared to those burned while operating an electronic devise. The guidance of a professional will aide in deciding on meal replacement, dealing with low energy-high caloric diets, medication or surgery (as a last resort). All of these choices are more dangerous to children than to adults.
The good news according to CDC researcher, Cynthia L. Ogden is that the number of obese children is decreasing by nearly half, going from 14% in 2004 to 8% in 2012. So we know what works. Healthy foods and plenty of exercise are key to eliminating childhood obesity. Concerned parents should begin their efforts toward dealing with childhood obesity by contacting the Nutrition Unit at the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County at: (305) 809-5633
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Pam Lopez operates The Learning Center of Key West, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The Learning Center’s mission statement is: “Every child is unique and we believe that success and growth come from encouragement and praise. Our teachers focus on building every child’s self esteem and confidence through positive feedback and rewards. We nurture their natural strengths. A child see’s the world around them with wonder and awe, we believe in encouraging their natural curiosity.” To contact The Learning Center of Key West visit their website at: http://www.tlckw.com/home.html