Underage and Overweight: A larger problem than you think.

“If the trend of increasing childhood obesity rates continues, it is alarming that this generation of children could be the first to live fewer years on average than their parents.” – VA health commissioner Karen Remely, MD

                This is a topic I feel very strongly about. If you are an adult and you choose to live an unhealthy lifestyle then that is your choice to make. However it is your responsibility as a parent to teach your kids healthy eating habits. When teaching nutrition I often hear the objection “I try to eat healthy, but I have to cook for my kids so I eat what they eat.” Now last time I checked chicken fingers aren’t any better for your kids than they are for you. According to studies done at Eastern Virginia Medical School one in three children in this state are at an unhealthy weight, 4 out of 5 of them will go on to be obese adults. Knowing how much the current obesity rate is costing us in health care cost, not to mention lives, what chance are we giving the next generation by compounding the problem?

Obesity is not a “Dirty” word that we need to sugarcoat or consider hurtful. It is a lifestyle choice that the majority of Americans are making for themselves and passing onto their undeserving children. EVMS has found that 40% of fourth graders in this state are overweight or obese.  I think it is way past time for someone to stand up and say “HEY!!! You’re killing your children by feeding them crap!” An overweight child is 70% more likely to develop heart disease, asthma, sleep apnea, liver disease and depression; and that’s the short list. I’ll say it again, as a parent it is your RESPONSIBILITY to show your kids how to live a healthy lifestyle. Public Schools are feeding them fast food every day and thousands of fast food ads are aimed at children. So if we don’t educate our children at home then they will be left to fend for themselves in the battle against being obese.

The solution is to take charge of what hits the table at home. Getting children involved in sports is also a great way to increase activity levels. If we take action now then the likelihood of our children having a shorter life span than us will diminish greatly. If you are about to feed your child something that doesn’t fit in your diet, time to reconsider. Kids have become so accustomed to sweets and fatty fast foods that it would be out of the ordinary to go an entire week without them. What do you expect them to do with the rest of their lives?

For advice on how to make a change at home or for some healthy recipe ideas please feel free to contact me at 757.351.9587 or email at jr.oliver@att.net