Childhood Obesity - Martin McCartney
Childhood obesity has become a dramatic problem in not only the United States but also in other developed countries of the world. The childhood problem stems from a condition whereas excess body fat begins to negatively affect the child's wellbeing and health. Since the presence of childhood obesity has such a vast effect upon a child's health the problem is considered by many physicians to be of paramount importance and has been designated as a serious childhood health concern.
The usual method used to calculate the obesity within school children is by use of the body mass index or as it is commonly abbreviated to as BMI. This acceptable measurement for determining the amount of obesity in children two years of age or older seems to work effectively. One must of course keep in mind that the BMI will vary greatly according to the child's age and gender.
The major concern of most medical personnel on the childhood obesity issue is the effect that may have upon the child's health. Oftentimes it can lead to very life threatening conditions which can include diabetes, heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, sleep problems as well as other dangerous disorders. Additional disorders include various liver diseases, onset of early puberty, appetite and eating disorders which occur in the form of bulimia or anorexia, skin infections, or various respiratory problems such as asthma. It goes without saying that several studies conducted have concluded that overweight children often grow up to become overweight adults.
There are often emotional problems which are closely associated with Childhood Obesity due to the constant teasing and harassments which the child experiences from their peers. In some cases this harassment and teasing even originates from members of their own immediate family. All of this constant teasing may eventually lead to feelings of low self esteem as well as periods of sever depression.
The conditions that lead to these Childhood Obesity problems are usually varied and can be caused by a variety of physical and emotional triggers. Eating habits tend to be high on the list of causes although it is often impossible to pinpoint the exact cause.
One study conducted for a period of three years used a random selection of 1700 3rd grade children for which two balanced meals were offered and combined in a supervised exercising program. This study failed to provide a significant reduction in related body fat when compared to the studies controlled group of children. Even though the children in the program were under the impression that they were eating less they were in fact consuming the same amount of calories as previously. In the same test the energy expended remained the same between the two groups even though their dietary intake of fat was decreased from 34% to 27 %.< /p>
The usual method used to calculate the obesity within school children is by use of the body mass index or as it is commonly abbreviated to as BMI. This acceptable measurement for determining the amount of obesity in children two years of age or older seems to work effectively. One must of course keep in mind that the BMI will vary greatly according to the child's age and gender.
The major concern of most medical personnel on the childhood obesity issue is the effect that may have upon the child's health. Oftentimes it can lead to very life threatening conditions which can include diabetes, heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, sleep problems as well as other dangerous disorders. Additional disorders include various liver diseases, onset of early puberty, appetite and eating disorders which occur in the form of bulimia or anorexia, skin infections, or various respiratory problems such as asthma. It goes without saying that several studies conducted have concluded that overweight children often grow up to become overweight adults.
There are often emotional problems which are closely associated with Childhood Obesity due to the constant teasing and harassments which the child experiences from their peers. In some cases this harassment and teasing even originates from members of their own immediate family. All of this constant teasing may eventually lead to feelings of low self esteem as well as periods of sever depression.
The conditions that lead to these Childhood Obesity problems are usually varied and can be caused by a variety of physical and emotional triggers. Eating habits tend to be high on the list of causes although it is often impossible to pinpoint the exact cause.
One study conducted for a period of three years used a random selection of 1700 3rd grade children for which two balanced meals were offered and combined in a supervised exercising program. This study failed to provide a significant reduction in related body fat when compared to the studies controlled group of children. Even though the children in the program were under the impression that they were eating less they were in fact consuming the same amount of calories as previously. In the same test the energy expended remained the same between the two groups even though their dietary intake of fat was decreased from 34% to 27 %.< /p>
