Best Reason to Make Sure Your Kids Don't Become Overweight

As if there weren't already enough to worry about with your kids, now you have to worry about their weight, too. Apparently, keeping an eye on what your kids eat and whether they are gaining too much weight early in life is now a critical factor in good parenting. You see, if kids carry extra weight when they are young, they could have serious problems later in life - even if they lose the weight as adults.

Lifestyle of Modern Children

The number of overweight or obese children in the U.S. has increased at startling rate. One in three kids is now considered overweight or obese. The reasons are kids are just not as physically active as they need to be. Most kids sit for long periods of time in front of a computer, TV, or video game. For some, physical activity is no longer part of being a kid.

Add to that the fact that in most homes both parents work and don't have much time to cook or prepare healthy homemade meals for the family. That means that more and more families are eating out more frequently. Fast food and prepared food is not always the best and typically contains high amounts of salt, sugar, fat, and preservatives. These foods cause kids and adults to gain weight.

New Research on Health and Aging

Now add to all that the new research that indicates being overweight or obese as a child can seriously affect health and mobility later in life. Lead researcher Denise Houston, Ph.D., R.D., assistant gerontology professor at the School of Medicine said, "We also found that, if you were of normal weight in old age but had previously been overweight or obese, you were at greater risk for mobility limitations."

Based on data acquired in 1997 and 1998 from the Health, Aging and Body Composition study, Medicare recipients in Pennsylvania and Tennessee were studied over a period of 15 months. Participants in the study had to be in good health and were functioning normally in their communities.

The Results Were Startling

The new data suggests that the current rise in obesity rates may lead to increased physical disability for generations of future adults. The data also suggests that intervening to prevent overweight and obesity in young adults may prevent or delay the possibility of mobility limitations.

Obese women who had a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or more at the age of 50 years were also at risk. These women had later lost the pounds and maintained a normal level of weight at 70 years of age and were still almost three times as likely to develop problems with mobility as seniors. Adults who carry extra weight cause additional strain to joints, limit the ability to exercise, and may develop other chronic diseases like arthritis, heart disease, and diabetes.

The message here is that being overweight or obese at any age is detrimental to overall health and lifestyle. Kids don't know enough to make their own decisions about what is and is not good for them. Parents need to take responsibility and start making sure their kids are eating healthy, nutritious food and getting plenty of exercise.

The information in this article should not be considered medical advice. Consult a qualified medical professional or health care provider before starting any new exercise plan or diet.

Sources:

Weight Gain Early in Life Can Lead to Physical Disabilities in Older Adults

Overweight and Obesity