CHILD OBESITY
In the United States, over
fifteen percent of children between the ages
of six and 11 are considered to be obese.
Obesity in a child is defined as a BMI (body
mass index) ratio of higher than 30 or the
95th percentile.
The number of obese
children has dramatically increased in the
last twenty years and the long- term
physical and social ramifications of
childhood obesity are significant. Obese
children are at greater risk of becoming
obese adults along with the possibility of
developing type two diabetes, hypertension,
and asthma. They also often suffer from
psychological conditions such as depression
and eating disorders. There are many causes
of childhood obesity but almost all are
preventable. They include:
-
Sedentary lifestyle
(large amounts of TV viewing, computer
usage)
-
Lack of exercise
-
Poor eating habits
-
Environmental conditions
(lack of recreational facilities)
-
Genetics
Teaching healthy behaviors
in your child is the best way to prevent
childhood obesity. Promoting and
demonstrating physical activity and healthy
eating at home are paramount to the health
of your child. Some healthy tips that can
prevent obesity include:
-
Eat a diet rich in
fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and
lean meat
-
Avoid sugary snacks such
as candy, sodas, cookies, and cakes
-
Avoid fried foods such as
French fries, and chips
-
Limit portion sizes
-
Eat meals together as a
family
-
Limit television viewing
or computer usage to no more than one
hour per day
-
Incorporate exercise or
play into every day
-
Assign physically active
chores to each family member
CHILDHOOD DEPRESSION
Childhood or early onset
depression is more serious than a child
having a bad day at school or upset about
the loss of a pet. It is not a character
flaw or something that your child will
simply snap out of. Rather, childhood
depression is a highly treatable brain
disorder. If not treated, it can lead to
failure in school, drug and alcohol abuse,
and sometimes suicide.
Symptoms of childhood
depression are very similar to those in
adult depression and can include:
-
Sadness that doesn’t go
away
-
Withdrawal from friends
and family
-
Hopelessness
-
Disinterest in food or
overeating
-
Problems in school
-
Guilt
-
Poor self esteem
-
Difficulty concentrating
or remembering
-
Stomachaches or headaches
-
Lack of enthusiasm
-
Thoughts of or
fascination with death
If you suspect that your
child may be suffering from depression, do
not hesitate to contact your doctor. There
are effective therapies and medications that
can be of great help. For information on
childhood depression, go to the National
Mental Health Association website at
www.nmha.org
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