A few extra pounds do not suggest obesity. However they may indicate a tendency to gain weight easily and a need for changes in diet and/or exercise. Generally, a child is not considered obese until the weight is at least 10 percent higher than what is recommended for the height and body type. Obesity most commonly begins in childhood between the ages of 5 and 6, and during adolescence. Studies have shown that a child who is obese between the ages of 10 and 13 has an 80 percent chance of becoming an obese adult.
What causes obesity?
The causes of obesity are complex and include genetic, biological, behavioral and cultural factors. Basically, obesity occurs when a person eats more calories than the body burns up. If one parent is obese, there is a 50 percent chance that the children will also be obese. However, when both parents are obese, the children have an 80 percent chance of being obese. Although certain medical disorders can cause obesity, less than 1 percent of all obesity is caused by physical problems.
Blame parents for children obesity crisis
A new study has suggested that one of the keys to solving teen obesity crisis starts with parents.
According to a new policy brief released today by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, researchers have found that teens are more likely to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day if their parents do and also, teens whose parents eat fast food or drink soda are more likely to do the same.
The cause of the deficit of healthy foods in teen diets has been attributed in part to the high concentration of fast food restaurants in certain cities and neighbourhoods and other environmental factors.
According to center research scientist Susan H. Babey, a co-author of the policy brief, the new study suggests, "good dietary habits start at home. If parents are eating poorly, chances are their kids are too."
The policy brief drew upon the responses of thousands of California teenagers queried by the center-administered California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), the nation''s largest state health survey.
The findings revealed that teens whose parents drink soda every day are nearly 40 percent more likely to drink soda every day themselves than teens whose parents do not drink soda.
Teens whose parents eat five servings of fruits and vegetables daily are 16 percent more likely to do the same than teens whose parents do not eat five servings a day.
Nearly half of adolescents (48 percent) whose parents drink soda every day eat fast food at least once a day, while only 39 percent of teens whose parents do not drink soda eat fast food at least once daily.
It was found that 45 percent of teens whose parents do not eat five servings of fruits and vegetables daily eat fast food at least once a day, while only 39 percent of teens whose parents eat five servings a day eat fast food at least once daily.
Dr. Robert K. Ross, president and chief executive officer of the California Endowment, said: "The research shows us that one of the keys to solving the teen obesity crisis starts with parents, but we must also improve the abysmal food environments in many low-income communities,"
"While parents are the primary role models for their children and their behaviour can positively - or negatively - influence their children''s health, it is also essential that local officials representing low-income communities work to expand access to fruits, vegetables and other healthful foods," he added.
According to the authors of the policy brief, educating parents about unhealthy food choices, as well as how to plan and prepare healthier fare, would help in reducing teen obesity.
0 comments:
Post a Comment