Child Obesity Epidemic
The greatest injustice with regard to health is the issue of adult irresponsibility of innocent children’s dietary habits. It is no secret that obesity among children has emerged as a major health issue.
In 1998 at a U.S. Department of Agriculture meeting on the causes and prevention of obesity of children, then, U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher stated, “Childhood obesity is at epidemic levels in the United States. We have been remiss in shedding light on this problem.”
Yet, little has been done to educate parents and childcare workers on proper nutrition. To the contrary more commercials and promotions to eat ‘fast food,’ high carbohydrate foods and commercials for ‘big is beautiful’ are blasted every twenty minutes on the TV programs children watch.
Surgeon General, Richard Carmona, stated, “Because of the increasing rates of obesity, unhealthy eating habits and physical inactivity, we may see the first generation that will be less healthy and have a shorter life expectancy than their parents.”
Nearly one in three children is overweight or obese. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) estimated that nearly 17% of children age 2 – 19 years are obese. According to the Childhood Obesity Foundation in Canada, over 25% of the children are considered overweight or obese. Alarmingly, there is no great concern. No elected official, medical professional or childcare organization has sounded the alarm. The United States has more obesity than any other country.
Children are developing obesity-related chronic diseases that were previously prevalent among adults. Such as Type-2 diabetes, poor glucose and insulin metabolism, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, heart disease, inflammation, sleep apnea, asthma, allergies, orthopedic complications and negative psychosocial effects and stigma.
Many children are diagnosed with a combination of several conditions known as metabolic syndrome. A study at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine and Children’s Mercy Hospital revealed that obese children between the age of 6 to 19 (average 13) had arterial wall thickness (Plaque buildup) of that of a person three decades older.
Perhaps most disturbing is the increasing correlated trend between child obesity and Type-2 diabetes, previously adult-onset diabetes. While child obesity has gone from 5.5% to 16.9% statistics in several areas of the country show that Type-2 diabetes has increased from 4% to 16%. This obvious correlation is ignored by medical professionals.
The majority of the children in the study developed diabetes between the age of 10 and 14. That is 300% and 400% increase, respectively. If these alarming numbers do not cause parents to make positive changes to stem these disturbing trends, there has to be some serious issues with indifference.
More and more children are taking adult medications for chronic conditions associated with obesity, and even more disconcerting is that studies show that 70% of overweight children, age 10 -13 years, will be overweight and obese in adulthood.
Does it register for anyone besides me, that doctors are giving children more and more medication for an issue that is strictly diet related? That is morally and criminally negligent, in my opinion.
It is my intent to raise awareness of the child obesity issue and to provide clarification of the cause – unhealthy eating habits. What you decide to do for your child is your responsibility. Your child’s entire life is in your hands. Studies show that 70% of overweight children, age 10 -13 years, will be overweight and obese in adulthood. Is lifetime obesity the legacy you want to leave your child(ren)? Is chronic illness the legacy you want to leave your child?
The choice is yours. Choose well. Your child’s life is at stake.
Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, Metaphysician – Certified Hypnosis Practitioner, Author and Speaker. Dr. Dorothy facilitates clearing blocks, fears and limiting beliefs. You can live the life you desire. She brings awareness to concepts not typically obvious to one’s thoughts and feelings. https://drdorothy.net