Childhood Obesity Causes

There are many causes of childhood obesity and we will discuss some of the reasons and how to cope with these reasons. You will not find a miracle cure here, but you will find natural remedies to some of these causes. There are environmental and genetic factors contributing to childhood obesity. The basic cause of weight gain is when the body consumes more calories that it burns. Too many calories consumed and not burned over an extended period of time causes obesity in both children and adults.

Are you about to take a deep sigh of relief because there are environmental reasons for your child's obesity? Well, let that deep breath out slowly and sit down for some hard facts about children who weigh too much and the parent's responsibility to change the child's health patterns. Parents are responsible for the types of food their child consumes, how often the food is consumed and in what amounts. You, the parent, controls this each time your child eats in your house. At school you can also regulate what your child eats by packing a healthy lunches and snacks that fulfills their daily dietary NEEDS…NOT WANTS. Learning just what the dietary guidelines for your child's body build and height is essential in controlling the amount of calories they need for each meal, all day in order to be active, healthy and strong.

 Technology has robbed our children

Very little energy is used as your child lolls on the couch with a remote control in their hand so they do not have to stand up to change the channel on the television. The daylight hours of a child's day are meant to be the active times of day. When your child comes in from school where they sat most of the day, and plops on the sofa to watch a couple hours of television, they are not getting any exercise at all. Are they out of your hair until supper? Yes. Are they getting the fresh air, sunshine and exercise that is vital to keep them healthy? NO! You are the one who can say shut that television off, go outside and play until supper. Unless the weather is inclement, do not let that television come on until the sun goes down! Your child should have items such as a ball they can kick around, swings at the park they can swing on, climbing areas, running areas and riding areas for a bike. Do not let your child sit idle and become one more victim of childhood heart disease! Technology has robbed our children of the outside lives that we had as children when we played with neighborhood kids until the fireflies came out or our moms were calling us to let us know it was time to come home for supper.

Whole body wellness is vital to a balanced life no mater if you are one year old or thirty years old. When your child is ten and old enough to understand a fairly basic discussion about being overweight, it is time to explain that a good diet makes them feel better, look better and stay healthy when others will get ill from slow immune systems and unhealthy eating habits. Your child's self esteem will soar as you share the discussion and contribute ways that your child can help manage this health crisis in their life.

Everyday fast food restaurants come up with advertisements that are targeting our children and encouraging unhealthy eating habits. A fast food treat is fine once or twice a month as a treat or quick meal, but not every week. The food produced by these fast food style eating places is full of unhealthy calories that children have a difficult time burning after they consume some of these fast food meals. Each time you allow your child to choose unhealthy eating alternatives, you are contributing directly to their weight problems.

Childhood obesity is also caused by genetic factors. A damaged gene can be the cause of the tendency for obesity, especially if this is a trait shared by parents, grandparents or other close family members. Thyroid problems can also be a factor that contributes to a weight problem in childhood obesity cases. If your child is more than 25 pounds overweight, for your child's sake, take them to a licensed holistic dietician and get them on a regular balanced diet that can be continued for a life time. Dieting is such a misnomer for this condition and remedies because it is much more intricate than just a little over weight and needing to cut down on what is eaten. Professional help will be beneficial to your child and to you, who is ultimately responsible for your child's health.  The information that you will gain with professional help can assist you in planning your child's nutritional needs and exercise requirements. A complete physical will help determine the causes of your child's fight with obesity. Treat the cause and not just the symptoms.