Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past thirty years, leading to one in every three children being classified as obese. — Click to Tweet.
While obesity is a growing problem in adults, it has also become quite commonplace in children as well. Scientists are saying that there are a number of reasons children continue to get heavier, such as:
- Not eating well. In a recent study, only about 20 percent of high school seniors reported eating fruits and vegetables five or more times a day.
- Less physical activity. Many schools are cutting recess, believing it to be a waste of time. Also, about 92% of elementary schools no longer offer daily physical activity classes.
- Genetics and family lifestyle. As adults get heavier, they put their children at risk. If a parent is obese, it more than doubles the chance that the child will grow up to be obese as well.
An American Epidemic
Scientists are saying that Americans are getting heavier and heavier.
While there are a number of factors that help play a part in the rise of childhood obesity, it has also been suggested that the environments we put our children in are a major issue.
Schools are offering less psychical activities, and more unhealthy food. There has been a rise in vending machines in schools, which are normally filled with unhealthy, sugary snacks. Families are also opting to eat more fast food, instead of staying home and having a healthy dinner.
Even more worryingly, soda fills the daily lives of our kids. Fifty years ago, children typically drank one glass of soda for every three glasses of milk. Now, the ratio is three glasses of soda for every glass of milk.
A Social Problem?
It has also been suggested that the rise in obesity can be linked to different ethnic and economic groups.
Children from lower income households sometimes lack access to healthy food and gyms, which can lead to obesity. While they grapple with obesity, families may be unable to afford the medical help that could be instrumental in helping the child.
Doctors have also noticed a surge in obesity in African American and Latino families. In fact, teen African American boys and Latino girls have the highest rate of extreme obesity. One out of every ten of these kids are overweight.
Combating Obesity
As obesity numbers continue to rise, doctors are attempting to fight back.
They are advising parents to set a positive example, and to lose the excess weight. Some advocacy groups are attempting to get schools to reintroduce recess and physical education classes, so children have more opportunities to be physical.
Most importantly, doctors are trying to get obese children to eat better and to cut out unhealthy food. It is possible for us to become healthier as a nation, but it is going to take work.
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