Obese children

Yeah, I have noticed such a phenomenon that there are more and more children are getting fatter and fatter. With the development of our society, most children can enjoy a better life and don't need to face the pressure of work and life. Besides, they eat much fast-food everyday, which are all junk foods and really a major factor that make them get fatter. Thirdly, they have spent much time on surfing the Internet and watching TV. In my eyes, the obese children should do some exercises everyday and keep a healthy eating diet.

childhood obesity is the leading cause of pediatric hypertension, is associated with Type II diabetes mellitus, increases the risk of coronary heart disease, increases stress on the weight-bearing joints, lowers self-esteem, and affects relationships with peers. so we have to prevent this. happy mylotting

I think it is alarming because children now a days are overweight or obese. Because of the technology they are not physically active anymore they spend more time with computer and watching tv. Unlike before children are more phsically active and the food is much healthier. It is also the fault of parents for tolerating and spoiling their children.

Yes, there's a huge number of obese children. Obesity is a predisposing factor of Type 2 diabetes. But we can't blame everything to parents. Sometimes, obesity is a result of hypothyroidism. It's not just because of the diet. It is not just because they have been overfed. The parents should seek medical advice for their obese kids to see the underlying cause. If it is hypothyroidism, then, they will be prescribed with medications.

I attribute it to eating to much junk food and treats and also being redundant. Some kids spend thier day in fron of the TV or the computer, they should go to the park more often or get some other form of exercise daily.

I have to agree. Months ago, it was on the news that a mother was charged with negligence because her son was morbidly obese. She didnt follow the doctor's orders in getting him help and keeping food checks and all so she was charged. I think parents should be responsible for what their kids eat. Some of them though think that fat kids are cute. I don't get it. There is a HUGE risk of getting heart disease and diabetes when kids are overweight.

With people trying to make ends meet and often working two jobs, it can be a difficult task to eat healthy for not only the children, but for the parents too. If people knew how easy it is to make a delicious, low fat meal in a crock pot in the morning (five minutes or less) and have a nutritious meal on the table for supper, it would help not only their eating habits, but the pocketbook as well. When shopping, just plan ahead and try to buy low calorie snacks and have them prepared ahead. If you have apple slices, carrots, celery, etc. already cut up with a low calorie dip, you can teach the children to grab that snack instead of chips, etc. It really doesn't take that much time, but you do have to have them ready to "grab" out of the refrigerator. As far as technology, I know that I spend a lot more time sitting in front of the television and computer as well. Even taking a break to walk around the room every so often is good for you. I agree with other posters who say that it is not safe like in years past to just let your children go to the park or play outside unsupervised. Children aren't even safe walking home from school without being in large groups. I know time can be limited, but a whole family trip to the park for even an hour can be fun for everyone. With the hectic way the world is today, it is very difficult to maintain an ideal weight and healthy lifestyle. With a few extra minutes of preparation, it can be done. P.S. Ask the children for snack ideas of fruits and veggies. If they get to pick, they may be more eager to eat the choices.

I do think that all too often it is the fault of the parents. I work in a convenience store and some of these kids are allowed to come in and buy enough junk food for 10 kids but sadly....it is just for them. Then you see the parents who are the same. I know that for some kids it is something they come by naturally but I really think that most kids form these eating habits because it is what they know. Combine that with the lack of excersise and you have fat kids

Parents that allowed their children to be obese are wicked. Yesterday I saw my neighbour's daughter for the first time and she is as fat as the mother. When you looked at the legs you will think that the child is 10 and she should be like 5yrs. When i asked the mother why she allowed the child to be so fat she said it is not she lol. In my days I was fat yes but was very active riding bicycle, walking long distances and doing the house work where we have to be using the shining brush to shine the floors. So those was activities that allowed one to be active. These children only eat and sleep. The food we was eating at that time was natural but these now a days are filled with fertilizers. Parents need to take back their children in hand.

I agree with you to a certain degree. Parents need to take more responsibility in the kinds of food they feed the children to help deal with obesity. That is not the only problem. Also, high-fat and high sugar foods are the cheapest, so if you don't have much money, you have to buy those for your family a lot of the time.

Well, it really depends because some children have a slow metabolism so even though they're eating the right things, they just tend to still gain weight. But I think that parents need to help their children to become more active. When I was growing up everyone I knew was always outside playing and running about, now children have so many things to keep them busy at home, like video games and computer games, and all types of movies and stuff that they don't even feel like doing anything active since those things just require them to sit still for hours. However, companies are trying to break that cycle; for example, Nintendo does have the WII system which allows children to play games while being active. And there are even old games like Dance Dance Revolution. I don't think it's always food. I think you can feed your child the right way but if they're not being active then they'll definitely gain weight, and unfortunately parents have to work so they can't always make sure their children are getting the right amount of exercise a day.

I agree with you.The old people are still living strong and fit.But the young generations are having so much health problems.It is because of wrong food habits as mentioned by you.Now a days people are not having proper food habit and diet control.The environment in which we live is fast changing and people are bothered only about money and not food.

I agree with you that, medical issues aside, obesity is largely the fault of parents, but society and modern life in general are also to blame. Due to either single parent families or both parents working, the rat-race rush or the pressure causes people to rely on fast-food or eating out all the time. Also to blame, is the portion sizes that most Americans expect. Go to any restaurant and the portions are so huge - much more than any single person should eat. Food offered at schools are usually not the best to promote healthy eating. Childrens menus at restaurants are mostly Pizza, Hot Dogs, and Mac & Cheese, or some other unhealthy, non-vegetable or fruit containing meal. I also agree with you that it is a form of child abuse, 1)the immediate effect as well as the long term medical effect. Chances they will end up with tons of weight related medical problems. A lot of children, especially inner city kids, probably don't have anywhere safe to play to get exercise. And unfortunately, let's face it, fast food is also a lot cheaper than fresh fruit and vegetables. What do you think is the solution, if any, to this epedemic? There are so many too radical suggestions out there like taxes or penalties. Just simply saying education is the answer isn't good enough for me. There has to be a sensible, affective, long-lasting way to tackle the problem!!