Search Results for: blog how to prevent childhood obesity

Study Shows Link Between Sleep, Obesity, and Learning Problems

A study finds that there is a connection between lack of sleep, learning difficulties, and childhood obesity. The existence of one of these three factors increases the risk that a child will also experience the other two factors. It could mean that reducing one factor can decrease the risk of developing the other two. A study was done at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. It included 351 elementary school kids. The average age of the children in this study was eight years old. There were some variables that were the same with all of the children in … Continue reading →

Special Needs Children and Obesity

I have heard a lot of talk about obesity in children. Advice to prevent that ranges from “feed your child better foods” to “turn off the video games”. Parents of kids who have certain special needs require more tools than those pieces of advice. Your child’s medications could be affecting his or her weight. Kids that are extremely overweight, or obese, face certain health risks. They may develop insulin resistance, hypertension, or type 2 diabetes. These kids could be experiencing sleep apnea, which means that they are unable to get restful sleep. Some children who are overweight will begin puberty … Continue reading →

Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes is when the person produces no insulin. Type 2 Diabetes is when a person does not product enough insulin. Type 1 diabetes is considered an autoimmune disease and it is thought to be inherited. Type 2 diabetes is often called adult onset diabetes as it occurs later in life. It is thought that being overweight is a leading contributor to this type of diabetes. While both seem to have genetic factors, Type 2 is often treated with and prevented by losing weight, exercising and healthy eating. While Type 2 Diabetes is sometimes referred to adult onset diabetes, … Continue reading →

Avoiding obesity in the teen years

By the time your kids get to their teens years, they have taken over control of their schedules, and keeping them active is a feat of monstrous proportions. With today’s’ technological advancements, they are much more content to stay inside than we were at their age. They are attached to their computers, video games, and cell phones. There is no need to visit with friends or to go outside and play. Back when I was a teen, I walked two miles to the library, or a half mile to my friends house and then took the stairs to her fourth … Continue reading →

High Glycemic Index Foods and Childhood Obesity

The food a mother eats may play a role in childhood obesity, according to a study at Dublin University College. Specifically, the study looked at the glycemic index of the snacks eaten by pregnant women in late pregnancy. Researchers found women who ate high glycemic index snacks in the last trimester were more likely to have babies that would later develop childhood obesity. Other studies have linked dietary factors and maternal weight gain with childhood obesity. This is one of the first to begin to look at specific factors related to snacking and eating patterns with the child’s weight later. … Continue reading →

Anti-Obesity Baby Formula?

My oldest daughter had rolls and rolls of fat. She had triple chins and big chunky thighs. She was breastfed and so there really was not an issue with how chubby she was. Now, at age 8, she weighs just about what she should weigh for her height. But scientists are concerned with the growing obesity rate among young children. Children these days play less and seem to have diets oozing with fats and sugars yielding a high percentage of kids who are categorized as morbidly obese. Apparently the growing trend is of such a great concern, that scientists in … Continue reading →

5 Things You Can Do with Your Infant to Combat Childhood Obesity

Generally speaking, fat babies are healthy ones. There is no need to put a pudgy infant on a diet. However, childhood obesity is on the rise and there are a few things you can do with your infant to combat the likelihood that he will end up obese: 1) Be a healthier mom. Studies show that if mom and dad are obese, baby is more likely to become an obese child. This has to do with lifestyle choices regarding eating and lack of exercises. Make no mistake: babies are smart and they don’t miss a beat! 2) Breastfeed. Although no … Continue reading →

How To Prevent Childhood Obesity

With child obesity rates rising parents need to help their children. Exercise and diet are key factors in ensuring that your child will never be overweight and helping remove excess weight if it is a problem. Good Diet Choices Cut out sodas, juices, chips, and excess sweet treats. It doesn’t mean you have to eliminate everything, just cut back. My children only get soda on special occasions and we rarely drink juice, instead I serve water and milk. Candy, cookies, and ice cream are a treat, not an everyday occurrence. Help your children make good snack choices. There are many … Continue reading →

Childhood Obesity Rising

According to the American Obesity Association, obesity among children and teens is reaching epidemic levels. About 30% of children and teens are overweight, which means that they are over 80% in the growth charts. Half of those children and teens are obese, scoring 95% or more in the weight charts for their age. Children, who are overweight, with at least one overweight parent, are 79% more likely to be overweight as adults. This epidemic is caused by poor dietary habits and inactivity. Fast food and high sugar processed foods are replacing yesterday’s home cooked meals. Today’s youth are more likely … Continue reading →

The Glycemic Index Diet

The Glycemic Index Diet is based on the Glycemic Index. It is a way of looking at how the carbohydrates in foods affect blood glucose (or blood sugar) levels. Before starting a new diet, it is a good idea to speak with your doctor about it. What is the Glycemic Index Diet? The Glycemic Index Diet has also been called Sugar Busters, the Zone Diet, and Nutrisystem. The original version was called the “G.I. Diet”. Despite what people have been taught by the authors of those books, the Glycemic Index Diet was not intended to be a weight loss diet. … Continue reading →