Statistics say...

    I have always thought the word “obesity” could only be applied to adults, until I opened my eyes and took a look around me. Over the years the number over obese children in America has risen drastically, and those numbers still continue to rise. Statistics show that childhood obesity start to affect children as young as 4 years old, which also carries into their adolescent lives from the age of 12 to 19 years old. Dating back, over the past forty years, the percentage of overweight children has tripled. With the amount of “on the go” snacks all children consume today, there is very little to no hope of those numbers falling any time soon. Several things, such as excessive snacking, family behaviors, genetic and heretical causes play a huge role in what could possibly be a life long struggle for these young children. Although, there are many factors that contribute to these young children being so overweight, the real problem is what they are being allowed to eat. There is absolutely no doubt that the majority (if not all) fast food restaurants market their products towards young children, which have definitely proven to be an even bigger problem than we realize.
       The average American preteen plants themselves in front of a television and either watches TV and/or plays video games for hours at a time. It is only common sense to know that this is unhealthy for anyone, let alone a child. At least 30 minutes of exercise a day is recommended, but many children do not meet the minimum requirements to stay fit. Whether it is because of the internet, their favorite television shows, or any type of modern technology that is available to them, children today have the tendency stay trapped indoors. Parents can easily inspire their children to be physically active by reducing the time their kids spend using electronics, yet they just simply choose not to. This link; http://www.annecollins.com/child-obesity-causes.htm  will lead you to a website that goes more in depth to the root causes of children being so overweight today. I believe a change for the better begins with the parents.