11 October 2018
World Obesity Day launched in 2015 to promote solutions to end the global obesity crisis. Its aim is to help people achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Despite all the health warnings, almost two thirds of Australian adults are overweight or obese. Also, one in five children are classified as overweight.
Childhood Obesity
Obesity in children occurs when the energy intake from food and drinks is greater than the energy burned through physical activity. As a result, this extra energy gets stored as fat and is a health risk to children.
Childhood obesity is linked to poor self-esteem, asthma, and an increased risk of heart disease. It’s also linked to sleep apnea, fatty liver, and orthopaedic problems. Therefore, it is important that parents know how to prevent their children from becoming overweight or obese.
Take action now
If your child is very overweight and has other health conditions, it’s a good idea to ask for support. Your healthcare professional can help. The good news is there are steps you can take that will set your child on the path to a healthy weight.
Look at the factors that can put your child at a higher risk of becoming overweight and obese. These can include:
- Unhealthy food and drink choices
- Unhealthy family habits
- Lack of physical activity
- Family genetic history
- Other environmental factors
Importance of maintaining a healthy weight
Maintaining a healthy weight is important to your child’s health now and in the future. A healthy weight now reduces your child’s chances of the following:
- Being overweight or obese as an adult
- Developing serious health disorders during childhood. These include type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and hip and joint problems
- Suffering from emotional and social problems such as low self-esteem, poor body image and eating disorders
- Suffering physical health problems in adulthood including heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Also, some types of cancer, infertility and skin disorders
Make changes as a family
Making changes to your family’s lifestyle can make a real difference to your child’s weight. These changes work best and are easiest when the whole family joins in. As a result, modeling healthy eating and regular exercise can have a big impact.
Cooking yourself rather than buying ready-made meals can help lower the fat and sugar content in your meals. Try and replace snacks high in fat and sugar with healthier alternatives such as fruit.
Furthermore, physical activity is also an important part of achieving a healthy weight. Try and build activity into everyday family life such as going for family walks or bike rides together.
Talking about healthy weight and childhood obesity
Childhood obesity is a sensitive issue. Discuss what your family needs to do to help your child. Focus on a healthy lifestyle rather than weight loss. It can be hard for children to lose weight.
Everyone with overweight problems needs support to lose weight. Your child can’t do it without you. The whole family can make healthy food choices and get active. As a result, it’ll make it easier for your child to keep going with healthy lifestyle changes.
Chiro & Sports Med
Our chiropractors at Chiro & Sports Med are committed to providing chiropractic solutions to address your unique needs, whether you are experiencing an irritated nerve, bulging disc, back pain, neck pain, knee pain, headaches, or even muscular tightness and tension. You may be searching for pain relief after an accident or experiencing an injury. Our mission is to help reduce or eliminate pain and to prevent future problems and injury. Above all, we are here to improve your quality of life, well-being, and your ability to live an active healthy lifestyle.
If you would like to make an appointment with one of the chiropractors at Chiro & Sports Med simply call our office on 9817 2005 and one of our friendly staff will organise an appointment for you.
