The number of children and adolescents who are overweight or obese has doubled in the past 20 years in the U.S., according to the AAP. Even children younger than five, across all ethnic groups, have shown significant increases in overweight and obesity.
A number of studies have linked being overweight with TV watching, because it both reduces children's physical activity and subjects them to ads promoting foods with high fat and sugar content.
A television in a child's bedroom has also been reported as a strong predictor of overweight, even in preschool-aged children.
Risk Factors with Overweight
About 85% of the children who develop diabetes are overweight, according to the AAP, making excess weight a strong risk factor for this chronic illness.
Other medical problems found in overweight children include high blood pressure, heart problems, high cholesterol, and depression and low self-esteem.
In addition to the health problems faced by overweight children, researchers find that the probability of childhood obesity persisting into adulthood increases from about 20% at four years of age to approximately 80% by adolescence. That means there is an 80% chance that obese teenagers will grow into obese adults and face all the serious health effects and life-span risks associated with that condition.
For these reasons, LimiTV strongly recommends minimal TV for preschoolers, a maximum of 1 ½ hours per day for school-age children, a healthful diet, and at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day.
A number of studies have linked being overweight with TV watching, because it both reduces children's physical activity and subjects them to ads promoting foods with high fat and sugar content.
A television in a child's bedroom has also been reported as a strong predictor of overweight, even in preschool-aged children.
Risk Factors with Overweight
About 85% of the children who develop diabetes are overweight, according to the AAP, making excess weight a strong risk factor for this chronic illness.
Other medical problems found in overweight children include high blood pressure, heart problems, high cholesterol, and depression and low self-esteem.
In addition to the health problems faced by overweight children, researchers find that the probability of childhood obesity persisting into adulthood increases from about 20% at four years of age to approximately 80% by adolescence. That means there is an 80% chance that obese teenagers will grow into obese adults and face all the serious health effects and life-span risks associated with that condition.
For these reasons, LimiTV strongly recommends minimal TV for preschoolers, a maximum of 1 ½ hours per day for school-age children, a healthful diet, and at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day.
No comments:
Post a Comment