Childhood Obesity: What Can Be Done About This Epidemic?

Childhood obesity is currently an epidemic in the United States as well as the world. It is estimated that one out of five children between 6 and 17 are overweight. Because of this, millions of children have a much greater chance of developing obesity-related disorders like heart disease or diabetes.

Parents are urged to encourage their kids to be physically active--especially because it has been shown that children who are obese have an extremely difficult time losing weight. When a child is overweight growing up, it also makes it harder for them to change their habits and their lifestyle when they become adults.

So why is there such an epidemic?  One reason is the large quantities of readily available foods which are full of sugar and fat as well as high in calories.  The other major factor is a lack of physical activity and exercise.

Just last month, First Lady Michelle Obama announced her program to help end childhood obesity in America.  The campaign is called "Let's Move" and it involves several things: helping parents become more informed about nutrition and exercise, improving food quality in schools, putting a stronger emphasis on physical education and making foods which are healthy more accessible and affordable.

In what other ways can childhood obesity be tackled?  Having parents discourage sugary and high-fat beverages and foods, improving outdoor recreational facility access, making physical education required, having communities better support activities such as biking and walking and improving traffic safety in places where children play or engage in physical activities.

The good news is, the problem of childhood obesity can be solved.  With the involvement of schools and teachers and more education about how it can be prevented, this epidemic can be turned around.