Recently the childhood obesity has taken a form of endemic in the United States. Rate of childhood obesity has increased by 5 fold from 1970s to the current time. Consumption of food rich in calories and fats are the main culprits for this increasing trend in the childhood obesity. A major part of this increase calorie intake by children comes from consumption of fast food.
In 1970s fast food constituted only 2 percent of the daily meal of a child and by mid 1990s this has increased to 10 of the daily meal of our children. Today one tenth of our children aged between 2 and 5 years and 15% of children between ages 6 and 19 are overweight.
A recent study conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture looked at the food intake data of children in the United States. These researchers analyzed data from 6,212 school children with ages ranging from 4 to 19 years. The study found that children who ate fast food consumed significantly higher number of calories compared to those children who did not consume fast food. They found that those children who ate fast food had significantly higher consumption of fat, saturated fat, and carbohydrates. Also those children who consumed fast food added more sugar to their meals, drank more of sweetened beverages and ate less milk, fiber and vegetables.
This study has shown that consumption of fast food on a regular basis does not provide the necessary nutrients and had more fat, and calories. Lack of essential nutrients may have a negative effect on the children especially at the growing years. Consumption of excessive calories, unless balanced by physical activity would lead to increased body fat and obesity. Increasing trend towards consumption of fast food is a major contributor to childhood overweight and obesity.
Parents and teachers of children should make every effort to make our children realize the dangers of fast food. They should be briefed about the negative health implications of fast food consumption. The parents should value nutrition and make healthy diet a family priority thus passing the good message to children.
In 1970s children spent much time in outdoor activities. In our modern lives children do not get as much physical activity they should be getting. Our children spend more time on the computers, television and video games. Our children and youth do not eat healthy meals and do not meet recommended levels of physical activity. Greater emphasis on good nutrition, avoidance of fast food and increased physical activity are the corner stones of a healthy childhood. Every parent and teacher should contribute toward the goal of bringing up our children healthy.
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