40% of overweight children will develop metabolic syndrome, which sets the stage for diabetes and heart problems. Metabolic syndrome includes; abnormal lipids, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and obesity. There is hope, when children lose even modest amounts of weight, it can reverse the negative effects of metabolic syndrome.
1 in 3 American children born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
5 hours of daily television is watched by almost half of all U.S. children between the ages of 8 and 18.
80% chance a teen will become overweight, if one parent is obese or overweight.
In the past 30 years, Fast Food consumption in the U.S. has risen 500%, while the number of children who are obese has tripled.
$100 Billion is the estimated annual cost to society for obesity.
70% chance that an overweight or obese child has of becoming an overweight or obese adult.
What can be done? As a parent, you must set an example for your child/children in choosing healthy natural nutritious foods and drinks. You can definitely set the stage for your child to make the right choices when it comes to what goes in his/her mouth.
Did you know that a study from the University of Rochester Medical Center found that nearly 60% of adolescents ate only one fruit or vegetable a day.
Parents, if you have a small child at home, make sure they are being introduced to fruits and vegetables in their diets, not processed snack foods. It starts in the home, you can make a difference for your chid's health future.
And when it comes to offering soda or sugary drinks to your child, choose not to, instead, promote water, everyones bodies need it.
Shared with: the healthy home economist
