obesity is a global concern, more now than ever before.
Child and adolescent obesity is a serious public health problem across
the European Union, United States and Australia.
One of the most surprising things about childhood obesity is that,
while most people think that this is very much a problem which is
restricted to the richer western societies, statistics show that it is
now many of the third world countries who are experiencing the fastest
growth in child obesity.
Although this is a major problem today, it could well be just the tip
of the iceberg and the situation will probably get much worse before it
gets better. Child obesity is becoming an epidemic, with 30% of
children estimated to be considered overweight or obese by 2010.
The related health risks and the potential costs to the Health and
Welfare systems of these countries are staggering.
Dealing with the problem of
is a priority for the European Union and following instructions by
Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou, the EU has implemented various
programmes involving information, diagnosis and effective intervention.
Although children may present fewer weight-related health problems than
adults, overweight children are at high risk of becoming overweight
adolescents and adults, thus storing up health problems for the future.
It has been said that "child obesity is an even bigger problem than
terrorism, and will kill more people".
Obesity rates for children have doubled over the past 20 years, and
overweight children are being diagnosed with obesity-related illnesses
such as diabetes, paediatric hypertension, heart disease, high
cholesterol, sleep apnoea and respiratory illnesses that in the past
have only afflicted adults.
Plus, overweight
children are more prone to suffer from severe headaches than
their thinner counterparts.
According to surveys of overweight/obese children and teens: 60 percent
of overweight children already have one risk factor for heart disease,
while 85 percent of children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are obese.
Other serious issues connected with childhood obesity are low self
esteem, and troubled relationships.
A study released in May 2004 suggests that overweight children are more
likely to be involved in bullying than normal-weight children are, both
as victims and as perpetrators of teasing, name-calling and physical
bullying.
The effects of fat
kids are far reaching, indeed.
Author Bio : Peter Abbott
Peter has helped thousands of families tackle the distressing issue of children and obesity. His website at http://www.children-and-obesity.com
will provide parents with a guaranteed solution to the "single greatest tragedy facing our society today" (Former President Bill Clinton)
No comments:
Post a Comment