Childhood Obesity Part 1 – Has it becomes an Epidemic?

Very few children become overweight because of an underlying medical problem i.e. either hormonal or neurological.

Children are more likely to be overweight if their parents are obese. 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. But genetic factors are thought to be less significant than the fact that families tend to share eating and activity habits.

In other words, most children put on excess weight because their lifestyles include an unhealthy diet and a lack of physical activity.

It is certainly easier than ever before for children to become overweight. High- calorie foods, such as fast food and confectionery, are abundant, relatively cheap and heavily promoted specifically at children.

Exercise is no longer a regular part of everyone’s day – some children never walk or cycle to school, or play any kind of sport. And it is not unusual for children to spend hours in front of a television or computer.