Filed under: Informative
Most Americans endorse public efforts to reduce childhood obesity but don’t want to do so through taxes or regulation, a new survey reveals.
Almost 91 percent of those surveyed thought parents “have a lot of responsibility” for childhood obesity, with only 16 percent saying the government holds a significant amount of responsibility, according to the report in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. People could list multiple sources of responsibility.
“The public clearly wants to reduce unhealthy, and increase healthy, food consumption among children and adolescents. However, they are wary about accomplishing these goals through intensive regulation or taxation” say W. Douglas Evans, Ph.D., and colleagues at RTI International, a North Carolina not-for-profit research institute.
For instance, the survey participants generally supported ideas like restricting the availability of unhealthy foods in school vending machines and cafeterias but they opposed raising the costs of these foods or implementing a “junk food tax,” the researchers found.
Those surveyed were also overwhelmingly in favor of nutrition and exercise education in schools but not at the expense of other subjects like reading, math and science.
The national survey of 1,047 households, conducted between January and March 2004, revealed that 41 percent believe that childhood overweight and obesity is a serious problem. Most of the people surveyed said junk food and fast food, followed by too much time spent in front of the television, are the biggest culprits.
Although the survey participants did not want to see specific taxes on foods, more than 70 percent said they would support a $25 income tax increase to support government or school-sponsored childhood obesity intervention programs.
Evans and colleagues also found that households with children at home and individuals with at least some college education were less likely to support school-based programs like regular weigh-ins and weight “report cards” sent home to parents, similar to those used by Arkansas public schools in 2004.
“This is the first survey to compare and contrast support for specific types of childhood interventions that have recently been implemented or proposed. Such data are likely to be of great interest to policymakers and others who might consider endorsing specific interventions,” Evans says.
“However,” he adds, “relatively little scientific information exists on which of these interventions are effective in actual school, community and media settings.”
Overweight and obesity rates among children and teens have tripled since the 1980s, now reaching 15 percent of the child population.
The study was supported by RTI International.
Filed under: Uncategorized
Here is a website full of healthy recipes that parents can make for their children. They are meant to taste delicious but cut out a lot of fat content, sugar, sodium, and carbohydrates.
Filed under: Informative
Childhood obesity not an individual responsibility
Many claim that obesity is an individual responsibility. And, they also think that children can easily cure themselves by following good eating habits and through regular exercise. But, all these people don’t realize some important facts. Many schools in America are filling children’s stomachs with calorie less soft drinks. And, in fact, many schools don’t have proper recess and exercise policies. Then, how can obese children be blamed in any way?
Parents should bear the blame
Don’t blame the children for their obesity problem. In fact they are not allowed to make their own choices about their lives. It’s the parents and schools that need to be blamed for the obesity epidemic. Give a choice a child may prefer to do some exercise – walking, running, cycling, jogging – anything they love to do.
Do you know the fact that in US 32% of 2-7 year olds and 65% of 8-18 year olds have television in their bedrooms? Then, who is the reason for the excessive TV viewing habits among children in America? Is it not their parents?
Realize the childhood obesity aftereffects
Research studies show that most of the eating and physical activity habits are established in childhood only. And, the psychologists say that most of one’s habits and traits for lifelong are established by the age of 12. Excess body fat that is accumulated in a child persist throughout childhood and also into adulthood.
Obese children are physically less active compared to a normal child. In one study it is found that an obese child walks slower, flat footed, asymmetrically and with turned toes. These poor walking habits and physical inactivity results in structural deformities and body tissue damage. Even when walking itself is a bid challenge for an obese child you can imagine about other physical activities.
Childhood obesity prevention possible
We can easily prevent the childhood obesity only by following two obesity prevention tips – eat the right food and do regular exercise. Inculcate these two obesity prevention habits into your overweight child’s routine. You can expect the best results very soon. Also, don’t forget to consult a child psychologist to save your child from the behavior problems that come with obesity problem.
Filed under: Uncategorized
Children always seem to be on the move. They’re wiggling, crawling, jumping, running, hopping, or skipping. It’s hard to believe that even with all their moving and playing, many children do not get enough physical activity.
The Institute of Medicine says that over the past 30 years, the number of overweight preschool children, ages 2 to 5, has more than doubled, and for children 6 to 11 years, that number has tripled. Nine million children over age 6 are obese or overweight. Children’s obesity is now a major national medical concern.
There can be many reasons for children being overweight. The two biggest reasons are “what they are eating” and “what they are doing.” Not being active enough is one reason young children are overweight. So, how much physical activity do children really need?
How Much Movement Do Children Need?
The National Association for Sport and Physical Education has guidelines for children to be at their best fitness level. There are guidelines for infants and toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children as to how much physical activity is best for their health and development.
How Much Activity for Infants?
You may wonder, what kinds of physical activities do babies need? Every kind of activity with babies is important to their overall development. Every movement encourages brain activity, which, in turn, plays a part in cognitive, emotional, and social development.
For example, babies or toddlers who spend too much time in strollers, play pens, car seats, or other confined spaces, are not having the opportunities they need to explore, learn, and develop. Too much time spent not moving as a baby or toddler can lead to the habit of not being physically active.
At this age, infants need to be rolling over, crawling, walking, pulling themselves up, exploring their surroundings, interacting with parents and others. Remember activity just means doing something, not lying down or being still.
It is recommended that every day, infants should:
- Spend time with a caregiver (parent, grandparent, child care provider) who will provide activities that involve some movement. This includes holding, rocking, and carrying the baby around.
- Be taken to new environments, such as being able to explore different rooms, go outside, be taken on a stroll, and see what other children or people are doing.
- Be able to move as much as possible. Spend as little time as needed in a car seat, stroller, play pen, or anything else that stops them from being able to stretch their legs, kick, roll over, and so on.
How Much Activity for Toddlers/Preschoolers?
Toddlers and preschoolers are already active, right? They run, jump, throw, and kick. This is true, but, they have to have the chance to do all this. These skills develop because they are given time and opportunity. Too many children are not getting enough time to be physically active in child care and in school. The younger children usually want to be active – getting them to be active is usually not a problem.
It is recommended that every day, toddlers and preschoolers should:
- Have structured or planned physical activity – for toddlers, at least 30 minutes; for preschoolers, at least one hour. Of course, more is better. And it doesn’t have to be continuous. It could be throughout the day, but as long as it adds up to 30 minutes or an hour, it’s okay.
- Be engaged in some sort of movement or physical activity, structured or on their own, throughout the day. Except when they are sleeping, no more than 60 minutes at a time should go by without them being active.
- Have both indoor and outdoor time to move around and use their large muscles. This includes kicking and throwing a ball, climbing on playground equipment, riding a bicycle, skipping and jumping.
It is important to note that children in child care need to be in settings where the child care program plans enough appropriate physical activity throughout the day. Parents should ask about what kinds of daily physical activities are planned when looking for child care.
How Much Activity for Young School-Age?
School-age children need even more physical activity than toddlers and preschoolers. As their bodies are growing, they need more food, more energy, and more activity. Physical activity should be a part of their ordinary, everyday activities. Whether activities are structured such as gym class, or unstructured, such as raking leaves, it’s all a part of what these young school-age children need to be healthy and fit. Although there is a structured physical education program in every school system, it isn’t enough. Some schools only have physical education classes twice a week. Playground time is usually limited to 15 or 20 minutes at a time.
It is recommended that every day, school-age children should:
- Get at least 30 minutes to one hour of physical activity, with 15 minutes of ongoing vigorous activity (gym class, recess, organized sport, or playing outside.)
- Get at least another additional hour of physical activity that is not structured and hopefully “fun,” such as building towers, taking a hike, going on treasure hunt, or playing tag.
- Be encouraged to be active through whatever it takes to encourage them. Do lots of activities with them.
Adults and Children Active Together
Parents (and other primary caregivers in children’s lives) are the most influential people in children’s lives. Being active and staying active is a prime example of where as a parent you will greatly influence your child’s fitness habits. When trying to make sure your child is getting enough activity, make sure you make it a family effort. Fitness is not just doing formal exercises, it’s moving and stay moving for a period of time. We can all find something we like to do that involves movement, and that’s the key to being active for a lifetime.
Make family time a regular part of your day or week, and include something physically active as part of it. Try these family fun activities to keep everyone moving:
- Go bowling
- Play volleyball, catch, kickball, tennis or whatever activity is fun for you and your family; take lessons together to learn a new sport
- Have water day in your backyard (when is the last time you ran through a sprinkler?)
- Walk around the mall, a carnival or park
- Take a nature hike
- Have hula hoop contests
- Learn a new dance and put on some music
- Take a ball outside and just play
You already know that as a parent, it is not easy to find time for beneficial physical activity in your own now very busy lives. But it has never been more important because your children need to see that you see it as important (but fun). The habits children start early in life will show up later in life. The more active a child is early in life, the more likely he will be active as an adult.
Being more active does take more planning, but stick with it and you’ll find that your children are in better health, will learn to like at least once activity, and you may find that you enjoy it more than you thought.
| PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH YOUR CHILD | ||
|---|---|---|
| Here are some suggestions on what physical activities would be appropriate for different age groups: | ||
| INFANTS | TODDLERS/PRESCHOOLERS | YOUNG SCHOOL-AGERS |
|
|
|
Filed under: Uncategorized
Steve Easterbrook admits restaurant has role to play – but points finger at interactive entertainment
The chief executive of McDonald’s UK has hit out at video games for being a major cause of the childhood obesity crisis.
Steve Easterbrook told The Times that the food and drinks industry shared responsibility for the issue with individuals and Government.
But he made special mention of the popularity of games – and said they have reduced the amount of time young people spend outdoors “burning off energy”.
“The issue of obesity is complex and is absolutely one our society is facing, there’s no denial about that,” said Easterbrook. “But if you break it down I think there’s an education piece: how can we better communicate to individuals the importance of a balanced diet and taking care of themselves?
“Then there’s a lifestyle element: there’s fewer green spaces and kids are sat home playing computer games on the TV when in the past they’d have been burning off energy outside.”
According to The Times, McDonalds UK is ‘on the brink of its best year for two decades’. The firm has enjoyed six per cent like-for-like sales growth in the last year. More than 88 million visits were made to McDonald’s restaurants last month, up 10 million on the previous year.
PHOTO: (Source) www.Timesonline.co.uk
Filed under: Uncategorized
So you think advertising doesn’t play much of a role in childhood obesity? THINK AGAIN.
This report (with the narration written on the page) is extremely interesting as it focuses on the ways that advertising affects the health of a child. You may think that watching a lot of t.v. is bad for a child because it means he/she is sitting on the couch not getting any exercise. Believe it or not, thats not the only negative to the situation. The more a child watches television, the more influential commercials he/she will see for unhealthy food products. The youngest viewers (ages 2-7) see an average of 14 food advertisements on television PER DAY. Mostly for unhealthy foods, like sugary cereals and snack items. Companies beginning to work on advertising healthier foods so that children are not constantly exposed to the unhealthy, fattening, sugary products on the market.
