It's no surprise that the self-image and self-esteem of overweight children are generally quite poor. And this is only exacerbated by the teasing and ridicule of their peers ? a situation that, in these post-Columbine days, can result in much more than hurt feelings. Even if children aren't tormented into taking their frustration out on others, they may well take it out on themselves. In 1994, an Associated Press article told the story of 11-year-old Brian Head, an overweight child who shot and killed himself as a last resort against the ridicule of his classmates. Growing up can be difficult enough; growing up feeling isolated can be too much to handle.
Then, of course, there are the many physical consequences of obesity. In this country, tobacco causes approximately 400,000 deaths a year. Diet and inactivity are to blame for 300,000. According to the Surgeon General, in his 2001 Call to Action, death from obesity may now be as great as from poverty, smoking, or problem drinking. He warns that a significant increase in the risk of disease can be attributed to even a modest weight gain. (For example, a gain of only 11 to 18 pounds increases a person's chance of developing type 2 diabetes to twice that of those who haven't gained weight.) In fact, people who are obese have a 50 to 100 percent increased risk of premature death from all causes compared to individuals who are not obese.
The health risks of obesity are indeed numerous ? with many risks coming as a surprise to most people. We realize, of course, that heart disease can be caused by high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol, both of which can result from poor diet and lack of physical activity. Stroke is also commonly understood to be a possible result of obesity.
But did you know that many cancers (colorectal, prostate, breast, endometrial, cervical, ovarian, gallbladder) are also on the list of health risks for the obese and overweight? Dileep G. Bal, president of the American Cancer Society, maintains that at least one-third of all cancers can be attributed to poor diet, physical inactivity, and overweight. This is higher than any cause other than tobacco.
Here, in a nutshell, are some of the other health risks of overweight and obesity:
? Diabetes (insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia)
? Sleep apnea (from extra folds of flesh in the throat obstructing airways)
? Respiratory disorders
? Decreased release of growth hormone
? Osteoarthritis
? Gout
? Musculoskeletal disorders
? Fatty deposits in the liver, leading to inflammation
? Early maturation
? Orthopedic problems
It's not a pretty list. But the scariest part may be that many of the unsafe behaviors ? and a number of the risk factors ? begin in childhood. Type 2 diabetes was formerly known as adult-onset diabetes, as it was previously unheard of among the young. It is now seen in record numbers among the young. And early onset of diabetes will most likely mean its complications also begin earlier in life. When adults develop type 2 diabetes, they suffer complications at about age 50; children with type 2 diabetes can expect to see complications at about age 20. (We currently spend approximately $96 billion annually treating diabetes, mostly due to its complications.)
And heart disease? As mentioned at the beginning of the chapter, this is no longer a concern of senior citizens only. Nor should we wait until middle age to start thinking about it! Whereas in the past heart disease risk factors were rarely seen in anyone under the age of 30, today it is becoming all too common to find them in children and adolescents ? even those without a history of heart disease in their families. Studies have shown that 40 percent of children ages five to eight have at least one risk factor, including hypertension. (Should we be using the words five-year-old and hypertension in the same sentence?) The first signs of arteriosclerosis ("hardening of the arteries") are also now appearing at age five! According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Bogalusa heart study found that 58 percent of overweight children had at least one additional risk factor for cardiovascular disease; and more than 20 percent had two or more risk factors.
In another study, Dr. E. Murat Tuzcu, director of the Intravascular Ultrasound Laboratory at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, and colleagues looked at the arteries of 181 transplant recipients whose hearts were harvested from donors ages 13 to 55, all of whom had died not from disease but in car accidents or from gunshot wounds. These researchers discovered that one in six hearts from teenage donors had significant blockages (plaque) in at least one coronary artery delivering blood to the heart! Had they not died in accidents, following decades of plaque formation, these donors would have been likely candidates for heart attacks at 50, 40, or even 30.
The moral of the story is: Most of the chronic and deadly diseases of adulthood don't just suddenly appear.
The CDC tells us that chronic diseases account for seven of every 10 deaths in the United States and for more than 60 percent of our medical costs. Further, the lingering illness and disability common to many chronic diseases reduces the quality of life for millions of Americans. Today's most common chronic disease in the United States? It's obesity. The bad news is that there are 300,000 deaths a year in the United States alone due to low levels of activity and fitness. The good news is that they're due to low levels of activity and fitness ? something that's eminently "fixable."
Rae Pica is a children's physical activity specialist and author of Your Active Child: How to Boost Physical, Emotional, and Cognitive Development through Age-Appropriate Activity (McGraw-Hill, 2003). Rae speaks to parent and education groups throughout the North America. You can visit her and read more articles at http://www.movingandlearning.com.
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareWhat should the goals for counseling be when the patient... Read More
Home schooling. What is it? What does it mean to... Read More
There are few thoughts as terrifying as the abduction of... Read More
Having been a parent educator and a PBS consultant for... Read More
Q. With another school year starting, we are not sure... Read More
The human brain never actually stops developing. Beginning formation in... Read More
There is no doubt that mothers play an all-important leading... Read More
It's the third time this week that Sam has complained... Read More
It's that time again! Parent-teacher conferences are coming. Are you... Read More
The legend and myth of the Tooth Fairy is a... Read More
Last week in my newsletter, I mentioned that... Read More
The word no is probably the most overused word in... Read More
Today's dads are more hands-on than ever before and their... Read More
Every parent wants their child to develop positive character traits.... Read More
Bedtime and children's sleep habits can cause nightmares - for... Read More
Annie easily slipped into becoming the sole caregiver of her... Read More
Age 1: Invite only family members and close friends only... Read More
John was a 43 year-old sales manager at a large... Read More
Family decision-making is an intriguing phenomenon. Many factors become part... Read More
1 - Forgive even if you will never be able... Read More
We all want to comfort our children after they suffer... Read More
Lead is one of the most dangerous toxins a person... Read More
So you're pregnant. Congratulations! Your life is about to change... Read More
So your little Susie wants to join a competitive gymnastic... Read More
Well first off, please to don't institute the ? hour... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..Over a number of years there have been issues raised... Read More
One of the most difficult struggles in life for a... Read More
Emotional OverloadMany single parents say they deal with a variety... Read More
Ask parents what their biggest school year challenge is, and... Read More
Is there a difference between lazy and unmotivated? Why do... Read More
Home schooling benefits children. As a parent, I feel it... Read More
Even as a busy parent, I'm sure you've seen a... Read More
In an actual war, to be attacked means to have... Read More
Do you remember how you first learned the alphabet? I... Read More
We adopted our first child when he was three months... Read More
What is child sexual abuse? Any sexual activity that is... Read More
Q. When you consult with a family with teens, what... Read More
What parent hasn't gone into a son's or daughter's room... Read More
I am crying tears of joy mixed with great sadness... Read More
Learning responsibility is an ever widening and lifelong process.As thinking,... Read More
Are you a professional?Notice how the questions differs from, "Do... Read More
Does the homework battle so typical with your hyperactive or... Read More
When you talk about multiply your child's intelligence, you can't... Read More
In today's busy world, many parents have lost the art... Read More
Creating and making special memories with your child is very... Read More
Did you know that the number of twin births have... Read More
1. Diapers (5 -7 is a fairly safe supply)2. Wipes3.... Read More
Optimists do better academically, socially and enjoy better health than... Read More
A sure way to double the joys of parenthood is... Read More
Identity and Your Fraternal TwinFor the most part, throughout this... Read More
Parenting |