It’s an alarming fact: More than 12 million U.S. children are affected by obesity, health professionals say– a number that has tripled in the last 30 years.
Because obesity can lead to a host of serious, even fatal, health problems– including heart disease, sleep apnea, clinical depression– both parents and medical professionals must act when a child or adolescent becomes overweight and sedentary.
Recent statistics show that more than 40 percent of California’s 5th, 7th and 9th graders are overweight or obese.
Obesity should be picked up by a primary care physician and parents. Most parents are aware when their kids are overweight; parents should be concerned when kids aren’t physically active for at least one hour every day.
Kids who spend long periods in front of screens, including televisions, cell phones, tablets and personal computers, are often obese. Children who don’t sleep at least eight hours nightly tend to be more obese than their well-rested peers.
There’s no easy answer to treating obesity in children and teens. There is no magic treatment or medicine that will make it go away. Fighting obesity requires a lot of hard work. The family must be willing to make changes in order to be successful.
A simple formula from letsgo.org sums up top recommendations for families who want to fight obesity: The 5-2-1-0 Rule.
• Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
• Limit screen time to less than two hours.
• Spend at least one hour a day in physical activity.
• Drink zero sugary drinks, including energy drinks, sports drinks or soda.
Another suggestion is to not skip meals, watching portion sizes, limiting junk food and minimizing the amount of eating out, as well as a minimum of eight to nine hours of sleep per night. Try to get the whole family to incorporate healthier eating habits into their routine, including exercise. A half-hour or 45-minute walk benefits the entire family.
