The health of American children
After speaking with Jamey Mullen, the Director of the Norwich Family YMCA, I was astounded by the facts he told me about the effects of childhood obesity.
It is obvious that childhood obesity is becoming an ever growing problem in the United States and other parts of the world, but I was amazed when I heard that for the first time since we started keeping records, the life expectancy for children is shorter than that of their parents. Later that week I heard a public service announcement on television, saying that the rate of childhood obesity has tripled in recent years.
The facts are scary, and the toll that it will have on the lives of our youth is even scarier. I find myself wanting to point the finger at some group or organization. I want to place blame with someone, but there is no individual or individual group that has caused this unpleasant change, it is the culture as a whole.
As a whole, we need to look at the destructive lifestyle choices that are bringing about this unpleasant statistic. Portion sizes are out of control, soda is the number one beverage choice for children, fast food is replacing more and more meals a week and outdoor activity has been replaced by computer games, television shows and video games.
Even with all of these factors working against us, we as parents need to take responsibility. Children develop habits by watching their parents and doing as they see. There is a factor of control that goes along with raising children. When you see a bad habit, it is your responsibility to correct it.
As for me, these statistics have served as a wake-up call. My child may be far too young to be ingesting soda and sugary snacks now, but I know I am going to be much more conscious about my behavior around him. It is up to me to ensure that he lives a long and healthy life, and I intend to take responsibility for helping him do just that.
January 17th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
You’re so right! That story resounded with me too. It really ought to be sounding an alarm nationwide. And I think the problem is even beyond fast foods and sugary snacks and lack of activity. Processed foods are a very big problem too. Simple foods, simply prepared is my key. Meat (if you’re into that sort of thing) veggies, potatoes, fruits. Fresh or frozen, but minus all the sauces and breading and grease, and definitely minus the prepackaged, prepared meals and mixes from the grocery store with their chemical coctail of additives and preservatives.
The kids being raised on this stuff grow up unhealthy and end up with weight problems their entire lives-chronic obesity and the myriad illnesses that go with that, or eating disorders as they become desperate to get control. It’s a sad situation.
Only parents and nationwide education can fix this. It’ll have a trickle down effect, as more people stop buying junk food, corporate America will respond by making more healthy foods available. To them, the only thing that matters is the bottom line.
Thanks for posting about this, Jessica! It’s an important issue.