I would like to talk about obesity
in children for this blog. Today there is an increase concern with obesity in
children which can lead to type two diabetes and high cholesterol. According to
Dr. Cynthia Ogden et al, in the article Prevalence
and Trends in Overweight Among US Children and Adolescents, 1999-2000, an
examination of 4722 United States children ranging from birth through nineteen
years old were surveyed from 1999-2000 for the National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey. They found that, “The prevalence of overweight was 15.5% among 12- through
19-year-olds, 15.3% among 6- through 11-year-olds, and 10.4% among 2- through
5-year-olds, compared with 10.5%, 11.3%, and 7.2%, respectively, in 1988-1994”
(Cynthia Ogden et al, retrieved from: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=195387, 2002). While reading the article from healthfinder.gov. you
find the article, Help
Your Child Stay at a Healthy Weight which recommends that parents first take their child to the
doctor to check for obesity (2014). They also recommend bringing children to a
weight loss program that includes counseling (healthfinder.gov, 2014). In this
article they suggest at least 60 minutes of exercise for the child per day, put
a limit on watching television or doing stationery video games, and be smart about
the type of food you buy (2014). Allow the child to know when they feel full
and of course as a parent be a good role model by choosing healthy snacks for
you and your family as well.
As a health
and wellness coach this information would be useful for dealing with parents
and children who are struggling with weight issues. These articles help make
the parents aware of the increase in obesity today with children which in turn
leads to health risks of diabetes and high cholesterol. I would also coach my
client to learn to be a good role model for their child by changing one bad
habit at a time. When coaching, it is important to listen to the client and see
what are the goals for their children and what they perceive as being the most
important to tackle first. I could suggest that they try and eliminate one
unhealthy snack to start and replace it with a piece of fruit or yogurt. As
always small steps to a healthier lifestyle is best and would not be frustrating
as much as trying to put the child on a strict diet. They could also start an exercise program by
taking bike rides for an hour as a family instead of sitting in front of the
television. I would also suggest that they include the child in shopping for
healthier meals. This way the child will learn to make better choices with the
foods they will eat. In my own family there is diabetes and my granddaughter is
struggling with her weight and she is only ten years old so this topic is important
to me.
As Christians
we are told to take care of the body that God has given us as we read in 1
Corinthians 6:19 which is a common scripture used in implementing good health.
Paul says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom
you have from God? You are not your own” (NIV).
We also read in 1Timothy 4:7b from Paul that “Bodily training is of
some value” (NIV). God is concerned not only with our soul but with our
physical body as well and it is important to exercise and watch what we eat so
that we glorify God in all that we do.
References
Cynthia Ogden et al, Prevalence and Trends in Overweight Among
US Children and Adolescents retrieved from: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=195387, (2002)
n/a, Help Your Child
Stay at a Healthy Weight,
retrieved from: healthfinder.gov. (2014)
