Preventing Childhood Obesity - Essay Example

"Preventing Childhood Obesity" is a wonderful example of a paper on Metabolic Problems. Obesity is a medical situation in which surplus body fats have amassed to the extent that it has a negative effect on a person’s health. A statement from the medical experts shows that children face fewer weight-related issues compared to adults. Despite that, an estimated ten percent of the total population of children in the world suffers from obesity (Institute of Medicine, 65). Overweight children face a risk of turning out to be overweight teenagers, thus placing them at the risk of developing chronic diseases like diabetes and heart diseases.

Preventing childhood obesity is one of the public health priorities worldwide because of the results that can arise from obesity. Among the children drinking sugared soda is one of the main contributors to obesity. The body fails to detect the energy in drinks fast as it detects those from food. The eating behavior of our children needs to be monitored closely because eating habits may lead to health hazards (Powell, Chaloupka & Bao, 187). This is the key to helping our children maintain a healthy weight. Balancing of the calories our children eat and drink with that which they use in their physical activities and in their normal growth.

Medical experts encourage parents to give their kids nutritious meals that contain the appropriate number of calories that will not harm the body. Parents should encourage healthy eating habits. Some of these healthy eating habits are provided here, they are; providing our children with plenty of vegetables and fruits. Make sure that your child low-fat dairy products or nonfat milk. Lean meats, poultry, fish, and beans are healthy sources of proteins for your child. Taking lots of water is also a good habit for your child and finally, limits your child from taking sugary beverages that contain sodium and saturated fats.

If you have a child suffering from obesity, support is the key factor in helping him/her recover. Parent’s feeling about children is a very important thing to them; if as a parent you react negatively then you will not be helping your child at all. Talk to your kid about his/her weight and let them share their concerns with you. Parents should heart on altering their family's physical bustle and eating behavior (Institute of Medicine, 54). By involving the whole family every member of the family the overweight child does not consider being singled out from other members.

As a parent, you can be a powerful force in children’s lives and can assist them to learn habits that prevent obesity in children and help them maintain their health for life. Consider the goals to a healthy start that are; physical activity, screen time, food, beverages, and infant feeding. With that, we are sure of preventing obesity in children.

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