Obesity in Children Obesity is sweeping the country like an epidemic

and children are far from immune. Depending on

the study you read, anywhere from 20% to 35%

of the country’s children are overweight or obese.

Before you go placing your child on a strict diet,

there are several things that you should

understand about childhood obesity first.

Childhood obesity can be caused by a variety of

factors and the recommendations for managing

the issue will vary for each individual situation.

Any kind of drastic management like the kind that

many adults use may end up doing more harm than good. If you are worried about your child’s weight,

you should take them first to their doctor.

Causes It is important to understand that for most children, the fat that they have on their body is actually

necessary. Some children don’t even grow out of their body fat until they reach their pre-teens. On rare

occasions obesity may be caused by a medical condition that your doctor will diagnose, and most

parents are aware of these types of things from an early point in the child’s development.

With technological advances and the advent of the television, children have begun to spend more and

more time inside either in front of the TV or playing video games. This increase in and development of a

sedentary lifestyle and habits is one of the leading factors in childhood obesity.

While these activities are not inherently bad, when a child is not encouraged to engage in active pursuits

alongside them, they can take over. If prolonged, it will become more difficult for them to develop

healthy and active habits that they can carry with them throughout their life.

If sedentary habits are combined with a poor diet, you can be sure that your child will develop some

kind of weight problem. The body reacts the same way in children as it does in adults when it is not fed

properly or given enough exercise to stay strong and healthy. It will slowly increase fat stores.

Treatment

Any parent that is concerned about their child’s weight

should tread carefully. Your first step should always be to

consult your child’s pediatrician. You want to know

immediately if the weight gain is the result of a genetic or

other medical condition that needs to be diagnosed and

addressed.

Once you have ruled out genetic and health problems, it is

time to tackle the lifestyle issues that are contributing to your child’s weight gain. Begin by speaking

with your doctor and getting recommendations. Slowly increase your child’s activity level and moderate

their diet a bit at a time until they are eating much healthier foods.

The best way to do this is to make it a family affair. A child who feels

singled out will develop insecurities and poor self-esteem if they feel

that they are somehow inadequate because they are overweight.

Doing this for the whole family will work to improve not just your

child’s health, but the overall health of every sing person in the

family.

If you are looking for a fun way to get active, Jumptown Inflatables

has bounce house rentals in Utah. Give us a call or visit our website

for more information.

Photo Credit: Jenni C, Mark Stevens, Steve Corey