Dangers of Childhood Obesity
August 17, 2008 by Terry
Filed under Diet, Nutrition and Health
Just a piece of cake, a bowl of ice cream here and there – these treats may seem like innocent indulgences, but you could be setting your child up for a battle with the scale. There are various causes of childhood obesity – whether it be genetic or self inflicted, there are millions of children suffering from the unforgiving illness. Regardless of how you got to the destination, the dangers are still the same.
High cholesterol and blood pressure, for example, are common symptoms among obese children. This is a dangerous sign, as both can be difficult to treat and may follow suit for years to come. Heart disease, for instance, is just one result of having high cholesterol. For this reason, starting your child off on the wrong foot can be extremely damaging. It is important that you feed them a healthy portion of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also try nuts and anything with soy – these are great for you and also are known to lower cholesterol. If your child is picky, I would suggest making up a batch of trail mix, including both nuts and even oats with a little flavor. In addition, try chocolate or strawberry soy milk. Healthy foods that will naturally lower cholesterol is already one step ahead.
Diabetes is another disease that tends to target obese children. Though there are several different kinds, Type II is most prevalent among young adolescents. This means that your body produces very low levels of insulin. As a result, it cannot be broken down and converted into energy. This leaves children feeling weak, tired and unable to find the energy to live an active lifestyle. Even more, it can create additional symptoms such as blurred vision or the need to urinate frequently. While this illness is serious and can be fatal, it does have room for improvement. With the right diet and exercise, you can normalize your child’s blood sugar and get rid of Diabetes entirely.
Obesity can also increase the risk of cancer, sleep apnea and strokes. Though children rarely are victims of these illnesses at such an early age, it is still possible and does happen. If they continue to battle morbid obesity as they get older, these illnesses become even more realistic. Therefore, it is critical that you limit your child’s junk food intake and promote a healthy well being as early as you can. Encourage activities such as swimming, playing baseball or even ice skating. Many parents do not realize how imperative it is to watch such factors closely. The dangers of obesity are severe and can lead to death – thus, it is never too early to make sure health is a top priority. It could save a life.
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