Dangers of Childhood Obesity
A study has doctors talking about the dangers of childhood obesity. The arteries of 70 overweight or obese children were studied. Many are shocked by the results.
The study found that some of these teens and children – with an average age of 13 – had the arteries of 45-year-olds. Unless the problem is corrected, these overweight children will be at risk of heart attack, stroke or other illnesses by the age of 30. Doctors say the condition can take 5 to 20 years off a person’s life.
Children were more active 20 to 30 years ago. In the age of video games and high tech entertainment, kids are more likely to stay indoors and stay seated, rather than going outside to play. This has led to an obesity epidemic in America, with as many as 9 million children currently overweight or obese.
Along with obesity has come an explosion in diabetes rates. Diabetes is something the patient has to live with for the rest of their life.
This study should be a wakeup call for parents, and the key to turning the problem around starts at home.
Here’s the advice physicians have for parents:
- Model good eating behavior for children. This includes keeping healthy snacks and foods in the refrigerator, and eating those foods with the children.
- Keep the kids more active. Find activities outside the house that can be done as a family, to keep the entire household more fit.
For weight loss tips to help you lose weight and keep it off, check out Dr. Kal’s Weight Loss Tips.
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