How to Prevent Obesity

Obesity is a chronic disease that affects children, adults and teenagers. The obesity rates amongst children in America have doubled since the early 1980s and have continued to triple for adolescents. 15% percent of all children aged six to 19 are considered to be overweight. More than 60% of all adults are considered to be overweight or obese.

Family doctors are starting to see the earlier onset of type 2 diabetes, obesity-related depression and cardiovascular disease in both adults and children. The longer the amount of time for which a person remains obese, the more significant the obesity-related risk factors can become. Given the chronic conditions and diseases linked to obesity, along with the fact obesity is very complex to treat, prevention is an absolute must.

The reasons for obesity prevention

The main reason for obesity prevention being so vital in children is due to the likelihood of these obese children turning into obese adults. According to family doctors, these numbers are expected to rise from around 20 percent at ages four to 80 percent around a youth’s teen years.

Family doctors point out the longer a child is breastfed, the lesser the chances of them becoming overweight as they age. Breastfed children are 15 to 25 percent less likely to turn overweight. For those who are breastfed for six months and above, this likelihood goes down 20 to 40 percent, say family doctors.

Preventing obesity in teenagers and children

Teenagers tend to become overweight or obese due to the lack of physical activity combined with bad eating habits. Lifestyle and genetics also add to a child’s disastrous weight status. There are many steps one can take in order to prevent turning overweight and obese around the time of adolescence and childhood. These include:

• Being a role model, parents that eat healthy and are physically active set the example which increases the likelihood of their children following them.

• Gradually working towards changing family habits and activity levels. Instead of focusing just on weight, parents should change habits and watch weight take care of itself.

• Encourage a physically active lifestyle. Children should practice having one hour of moderate physical activity on every other day of the week. Over an hour of activity could promote weight loss and the chance of a habit forming increases.

• Reduce TV and computer time to under two hours each day.

• Encourage children to eat foods only when hungry and to consume their food slowly.

• Refrain from using food as a reward. Never withhold food as punishment.

• Ensure the fridge has low fat or fat free milk as well as fresh vegetables and fruit instead of colas and snack foods which are high in fat and sugar.

• Serve five servings of vegetables and fruits each day.

• Encourage consumption of water instead of colas and beverages containing sugar like sports drinks and fruit juices.

As an adult you can prevent obesity by ensuring there is daily consumption of fruits and vegetables.

Our trained physicians at Phoenix Family Medical Clinic and treat and take care of children, teenagers and adults suffering from obesity. We also help treat children suffering from ADHD. Make an appointment with us today.

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