Childhood Obesity: The Sad Fact


by Eric Hartwell - Date: 2007-02-11 - Word Count: 265 Share This!

One of the sad facts of our time is that young people have fewer and fewer chances to be physically active. In elementary and primary schools, quite often there is a lack of space and equipment for serious physical education, not to mention fewer and fewer teachers with specialized training in this area. Children spent the vast majority of their time at school sitting down behind a desk. The vast majority of six to eight year old in the United Kingdom are allowed only thirty minutes of regulated physical education in their weekly school curriculum! The game fields and playgrounds are being sold off or abandoned. At home, children are discouraged from playing outside due to their parents' concerns with safety.

We live in a culture that sends out very strong messages about ideal beauty and body weight. Girls are encouraged to constantly diet and exercise until they attain a fit, thin body. Boys are told to constantly work out and do whatever is necessary to attain a buff, muscular façade. This puts both obese boys and obese girls at risk for developing psychological and eating disorders.

Prevention of obesity ultimately begins at home. For children and young adults dealing with obesity, it is best to evaluate the individual's situation, taking in to consideration environmental, genetic, and metabolic concerns while treating the arising physical and psychological damage that has arisen. An obese child's eating plan should also come with an exercise plan. Long term counseling is often needed to deal with self esteem issues relating to obesity that can effect the child's performance in the real world.


Related Tags: obesity, overweight, fat, childhood obesity

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