July 23rd, 2012 by Len Saunders
As many of my regular viewers to this web blog know, there are many factors contributing to childhood obesity. I post daily here about it, whether news print articles, opinions, feedback, or just personal opinion.
Recently, I wrote an article for Yahoo! (click here) about childhood obesity. I started searching for sources for this article, and received over 100 responses to the question, ?What do you think caused the rise in childhood obesity?? Responses came from professional and Olympic athletes, fitness experts, health experts, nutritionist, and parents.
I was unable to use everyone?s feedback, but thought it would be great to post some of their responses on my blog in a new web series, ?What Causes Childhood Obesity.? I hope that you enjoy the opinions here from various individuals. Please remember, my including their posts does not necessarily mean I agree or endorse their opinion, rather, a place to share other people?s thoughts.
Opinion: Ilyse Schapiro
Childhood obesity is on the rise for a number of reasons.
1. Increase in Media time and Video games, Ipads, Itouches, Computers. What kid doesn?t have or have access to their parents Ipad these days or home computer? Instead of when we were kids and our parents only gave us the option to go outside and run around with friends, many parents are letting their kids spend countless hours on the computer or other media device. Whether educational or not, this is a sedentary activity where kids are not burning calories, and this often also leads to over eating. When people eat while engaging in video games or watching TV they are more likely to consume more calories because it is completely mindless, and they don?t realize how much they are eating.
Parents can limit media time to 1 hour per day. When kids are not in school, they should be spending time running around outdoors, in the park, or engaging in after school sports.
2. Increase in packaged/convenience foods. Many households have both parents working so there is less time to prepare healthy meals and snacks. Many parents turn to ?snack packs? which even if they are ?100 calories? are loaded with sugar. These snack packs tend to be unsatisfying which leads a person to crave more sometimes consuming a second package if not more of something else.
Parents need to make time to go to the grocery store and stock up on fruits, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains. If you work full time, pick one day on the weekend to cook a few meals for the week. Cut up vegetables and fruit and leave them in containers in the fridge for easy access.
3. Knowledge: With so much conflicting information out there, some parents just don?t know what is good for their kids any more. Parents also tend to be more lenient these days, and let the child dictate their needs.
My advice, every child is different and has different requirements. Seek advice from a Registered Dietitian if your child is having weight problems.
Ilyse Schapiro MS, RD, CDN
Entry Filed under: Chidhood Obesity Causes
Source: http://www.lensaunders.com/wp/?p=2371
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