Childhood Obesity – The Physical Effects

Parents want the best for our children. We are careful about vaccinations, we take them to the dentist and ophthalmologist regularly. We don’t plan for childhood obesity to be a problem, but it happens. This article is about why we should address the issue.

high blood pressure: Obesity does not discriminate by age when it comes to obesity. There are children who have to take medication to control their blood pressure and it is a growing trend. High blood pressure can cause kidney problems, heart disease, and stroke. If not caught early, those problems will occur at a much younger age than most of us think.

High cholesterol: After blood pressure, this is given. In fact, under the right conditions, kids should start getting their cholesterol checked at age two. Children up to ten years of age are taking medication for this problem.

Diabetes: Most of us recognize this as a physical problem associated with being overweight. While it doesn’t cause type one diabetes, it can certainly cause type two diabetes. Diabetes can cause eye, heart, and kidney problems.

What should we do? We need to take a good look at our lifestyle. What we eat and what we do physically must be examined. If it is not a healthy diet, we may need to consult a nutritionist. They can help shape a healthier version of what your family likes.

How active is your family? What we adults do (or stop doing) will be reflected in our children. If we don’t have some kind of exercise, they won’t want to do it. Talk to your doctor and pediatrician to find exercises that work for you.

We don’t have to watch our children develop these medical problems. A little action from us will help them stay well.