Fitness and nutrition expert, Tracey Redford of Curves International says, “The inactivity among young people can not be blamed solely on the evolution of Internet technology and television in itself. Child obesity has lead to a number of other health related issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease from the combination of improper nutrition and lack of exercise.”
Redford went on to say, “We live in a complex society where children of all ages have to contend with social issues such as depression, violence and divorce all having a downward spiraling affect both physically and emotionally. The psychological impact this has on our youth’s triggers an imbalance in eating habits and leads to a lack of motivation creating a domino effect.”
A summer camp experience with weight loss benefits
Last year in Canada alone the government spent over $2 billion on medical procedures surrounding obesity. No matter how many times we read about or see it on the news, children still do not understand the connection between eating, exercise and a healthy body. Rather than pointing fingers and placing blame, we need more resources and programs that can be offered such as summer camp programs specializing in weight loss. These camps are sometimes referred to as “fat camps” for young children and teens to guide them and educate them on making good healthy choices.
Children and parents shouldn’t be turned off by the words, “fat camp” which simply means a place where children of all ages can get fit, learn about nutritional balance and have fun doing so. Getting to participate in sports, crafts, and making make new friends while achieving weight loss in a nurturing environment provides a positive alternative for kids, and can pave the way to combat obesity.
The ultimate goal is sustainable healthy weight loss
When children feel they have no options, they continue on the same path of poor eating habits leading to a state of helplessness. Sending a child to a gym where they feel isolated and eventually lose motivation is not the solution either. Redford explains, “We need far better choices if we want our youth’s to get on track and stay on track. Weight loss camps for pre-teens and teenagers are a viable solution.”
What exactly is a weight loss camp? It’s about building a better self-image and self esteem while promoting health and wellness with individualized programs geared to weight loss that yields long term results. This is the foundation of the whole weight loss summer camp experience. A nutritionist designs an appropriate menu enabling campers to lose the weight and provide the necessary tools to keep the weight off upon returning home from camp. Understanding that the parent’s role is crucial in encouraging proper weight control for their children, the camps provide access to a network of nutritionist across the country.
Childhood obesity is racking our country with numerous health complications and the overall compromised health of millions of American children. Today’s children are the first generation to have a lower life expectancy than their parents.
Nearly one in three children aged ten to seventeen are overweight or obese. As if that number isn’t frightening enough, consider the following: childhood obesity has a direct annual expense of $14.1 billion in prescription drugs and outpatient and emergency room costs, with an additional inpatient cost of $237.6 million.
America’s obese children are experiencing adult health problems such as bone and joint disorder, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mental health problems. In some communities, nearly half of the new cases of type 2 diabetes are children, a previously adult-onset disease.
Since 1980, childhood obesity has more than tripled. Conditions related to obesity, including diabetes, gallbladder disease, skin infections, mental disorders, asthma, pneumonia and pregnancy complications caused hospitalization of obese children aged 2 to 19 to double between 1999 and 2005.
These health issues with American children are causing the back-breaking straw to America’s economic difficulties. Not only are the health costs causing everyone great hardship, but as soon-to-be adults, this unhealthy population will put a burden on the nation with loss of labor productivity and continuing health care expenses. The costs of obesity are currently $4.3 billion for absent employees, annually.
When hospitalized, on average, obese children will stay in the hospital almost a day longer than normal-weight children. This cost averages out to $1,634 more per patient.
The increase in junk food consumption coupled with the decrease in the quality of food and the reduced physicality of children has created the obesity epidemic. Parents are the overseers of all three of these components. They need to make sure that their children are normal weight.
Consider just this one statistic: between 1997 and 2003 the price of Coke fell by almost 35 percent, and the price of fruits and vegetables rose 17 percent. This supply is in response to demand. Parents reducing the availability of soda and increasing fruits and vegetables in the home will have a positive effect on their individual family and on the American family as a whole.
Children consume twice as many calories in a meal at a restaurant than a meal at home. Family members need to take turns making healthy, fresh, vegetable-based dinners. We will all be happier, healthier, and wealthier and live longer.
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Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally, With more than 1 billion adults overweight – at least 300 million of them clinically obese – and is a major contributor to the global burden of chronic disease and disability. This is something that is affecting virtually all ages and socioeconomic groups. Over the last few years obesity has been creeping more and more into the lives of our children causing major issues for our young ones and teens, as well.
Overweight children and teens have been found to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including high cholesterol, elevated insulin levels, and elevated blood pressure during childhood. One study showed that approximately 60% of overweight children had a least one cardiovascular risk factor, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure; in comparison, only 10% of children with healthy weight had at least one risk factor. Additionally, 25% of overweight children had two or more risk factors.
According to some recent research studies that were performed very overweight children spend nearly twice as much time watching TV than average-weight children. They also spent more time on computers, playing video games, sending E-mail, and using the Internet. They are much less likely to be involved in athletics and more likely to participate in music and art. Overweight children also spend more time alone than average-weight children and of course, when they were alone, they are more likely to be eating.
These children need help to prevent harmful eating habits from ruining their health. Children need exercise and wholesome food choices. Each child has unique nutritional needs. The goal is to find the energy balance of calories in and calories burned by making smarter food choices and becoming more active. Overweight children that also show depressive symptoms may benefit from the addition of a regular aerobic exercise program to improve self-worth.
Overweight children may feel uncomfortable about participating in certain activities. They were five times as likely to describe their self-confidence as poor compared to average-weight children. They can still be saved from being obese adults through patience and understanding and a change in the childs diet and exercise routines.
For overweight children there are also weight loss camps and weight loss programs which offer great benefit. There are many weight loss camps that feature nutrition education, weight loss tips, dieting information, fitness programs, exercise, weight loss, self-esteem building, exciting activities, great fun and friendships.
In order to stop obesity from ruining the lives of these children parents need to take an active role. It is time to stop buying the frozen meals and bags of chips and instead start cooking healthy dinners and snacking on fruits and vegetables. Teaching your children at a young age how to eat healthy will save them from the complications of obesity.