A Look at Obesity

Trying to rid America of obesity and make it history is akin to making smoking history. We aren't quite there yet but I can't think of one person in my social circle who smokes. They may have in the past but they have quit. The best news is that their children aren't smoking.

I have put together studies that, hopefully, will make you think twice when you are about to put that Twinkie in your mouth.

The newest study comes out of the University of Michigan. Researcherslooked at over 800 six to nine-year olds and concluded that the kids who were obese were more likely to be bullied. This is not surprising. I don't think we needed a funded study to tell us what we as parents have seen. Still it is another wake-up call to not give in to your child's unhealthy food choices. Sure a once in awhile ice cream cone is not going to make a child obese but ice cream for dessert every night might. The same goes for what is in their lunch boxes and what is in the cafetaria at school! Obesity makes children targets, which lowers their already low self esteem and that can turn into self injury.

A study done out of the University at Buffalo (New York) showed that obesity and low testosterone are linked.

The three-month study looked at over 2,000 men ages 45-years old and older. The results showed that men who were obese had a 40% higher likelihood of having low testosterone levels.

In men, testosterone is crucial for the development of male reproductive tissues as well as promoting muscle. (The reason women cannot get muscular like men - naturally.)

Another study showed that grandparents who provide care giving to their grandchildren are at a higher risk for obesity that those with other caregivers. This was a British study that looked at 12,000 three- year olds. The chances of these kids being overweight were 34% higher if they were being cared for full time. The risk was 15% for those kids who were looked after by their grandparents part time.

Parents need to be educated and the time should be before their children are two. Many overweight kids are overweight as infants perhaps because of the introduction of solid food too early. Activities that are appropriate for your child's age are imperative. Start them early so that being active rather than watching television on the couch becomes the norm

Sources

KETV
Buffalo.edu
SFGate