Childhood obesity

Childhood obesity, currently considered an "epidemic" in the United States, is describes children who are above a healthy weight. Currently in the U.S., nearly one-third of American kids are considered overweight or obese, and the number is growing.

Causes

These are the most common causes of childhood obesity, however, experts say that good exercise and a proper diet will result in weight loss in most people.^{[citation needed]}

Some recent theories put the blame in "overhormoned" food such as pork, chicken, hamburgers meat, and vegetables but this is not proven yet.^{[citation needed]}

Genetics

Often, a child whose parents are overweight or obese will also be overweight or obese. Although this can be caused because of shared unhealthy eating habits between the household, it is most commonly caused by the passing of genes from the parents to the child. In this case, weight loss and management may be more difficult.^{[citation needed]}

Physical Inactivity

Kids do not play or get active as often as in the past. Many experts believe that this is due to the recent technological developments, such as video games and computers. Most kids are now equipped with cellular phones, which allows them to not go outside and play with friends, but instead talk on the phone or text message.^{[citation needed]}

When physically inactive, children do not burn off the calories that they intake through eating. Depending on the metabolism of the child, the body will store some or all of the unused energy as fat. For more information, refer to obesity.

Growth pattern

Many children are slightly overweight because of they way that their bodies are maturing. It is a very common build, however many pediatricians still classify it as childhood obesity. For more information on this cause, please refer to puppy fat.^{[citation needed]}

Unhealthy Eating Habits

Fast food restaurants are becoming extremely popular with children, as well as junk food. Instead of home cooking, it is now common for parents to take their kids out to eat. Even if it is not a fast food restaurant, frequently eating out often results in weight gain. Also, parenting groups are now blaming fast food and junk food companies for advertising on television, internet websites and other forms of media.

Unhealthy eating habits are defined as taking in more calories than what your body will use for that day. Soda, fast food, potato and other chips, potatos, ice cream, pizza, and other junk foods are often high in calories and fat.

The recommended daily calorie intake for a child varies on that child’s age. However, if a child is overweight, a doctor may reduce that amount.

Complications

If left without a change in diet or exercise patterns, childhood obesity could cause life-long or life-threatening conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Also, studies show that most overweight children grow up to be overweight adults. Therefore, childhood obesity must be taken seriously by parents, teachers, and the medical profession.

Pressure

Often, kids who are overweight or obese are picked on by their skinnier peers. This causes stress, which can often lead to more weight gain. However, some children are also put down by their own family. When put down by their own family, it is "especially devastating" (as often called by child psychiatrists) for the child. ^{[citation needed]}

Assumptions

Some kids are assumed to be overweight because of the way they look and how much they weigh. However, in some cases the child may have a larger build, meaning that the child’s skeletal build in the torso area is larger. This gives the appearance of extra weight. ^{[citation needed]}

External Sources

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