Childhood Obesity

Did you know the average teenager consumes 4 Lbs of Sugar a Week, Yes a WEEK!!! Childhood obesity is more than a problem in the United States, it is an Epidemic.

Childhood Obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the last 30 years.
In 2010 more than 1/3 of children and adolescents were overweight  or obese. This is an alarming amount and something needs to be done to help our kids.

Health Effects of Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term effects on the health and well-being of our kids.
Immediate health effects:

• Obese youth are more likely to encounter some risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. In a population-based sample of  5 to 17 year-olds, 70% of obese youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
• Obese adolescents are more likely to have pre diabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels indicate a high risk for development of diabetes.
• Children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem, as well as being bullied.

• Children and adolescents who are obese are likely to be obese as adults  and are more at risk for adult health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancers, and osteoarthritis.  One study showed that children who became obese as early as age 2, were more likely to be obese as adults.
• Overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk for many types of cancer, including cancer of the breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, kidney, pancreas, gall bladder, thyroid, ovary, cervix, and prostate, as well as multiple myeloma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Here are some other alarming facts:
4.2 BILLION dollars was spent in 2010 by the fast food industry marketing their $1 hamburger and chicken nuggets, fries, etc. While the ANNUAL Budget for the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, (the USDA’s sub-agency that “works to improve the health and well-being of Americans by developing and promoting dietary guidance that links scientific research to the nutrition needs of consumers.), Was 6.5 MILLION dollars     according to The New York Times reporter Michael Moss.
4.2 Billion VS 6.5 Million????

When economic times are hard the industry is using its $4.2 billion marketing budget towards a new generation of customers: i.e., kids.

The average preschooler (2-5 years) saw 2.8 TV ads for fast food every day in 2009; children (6-11 years) saw 3.5; and teens (12-17 years) saw 4.7.

People have been scolding the fast-food industry for marketing its wares to kids for years. The industry’s response? A ramped-up effort to market its wares to kids:

Compared to 2003, preschoolers viewed 21% more fast food ads in 2009, children viewed 34% more, and teens viewed 39% more. … McDonald’s and Burger King have pledged to improve food marketing to children. However, both restaurants increased their volume of TV advertising from 2007 to 2009. Preschoolers saw 21% more ads for McDonald’s and 9% more for Burger King, and children viewed 26% more ads for McDonald’s and 10% more for Burger King.

There’s also an uncomfortable racial aspect to fast-food marketing — these companies evidently see major opportunity in selling product to African-American and Hispanic families:

McDonald’s and KFC specifically targeted African American youth with TV advertising, websites, and banner ads. African American teens viewed 75% more TV ads for McDonald’s and KFC compared to white teens.  DISGUSTING, RIGHT??

Pretty saddening to think these children who should have no worries in the world, now have to make sure they take their medications or check their blood sugar 2-3 times a day. It doesn't have to be like that.

PREVENTION:

^{Healthy lifestyle changes, including healthier eating and more physical activity, less TV watching, video game playing, can help lower the risks associated with obesity.}

• The dietary and physical activity behaviors of children and adolescents are influenced by many sectors of society, including families, communities, schools, child care settings, medical care providers, faith-based institutions, government agencies, the media, and the food and beverage industries and entertainment industries.
• Schools play a particularly critical role by establishing programs that can engage kids to get the exercise they need. 

Join the Body By Vi 90 day challenge today!

Visalus Body By Vi 90 day challenge launched a new program in January called Project 10, this program was put into place to encourage everyone on the challenge to lose 10 lbs or more. Everyone who loses 10 lbs on their challenge will have the chance at winning $1000 and getting an I LOST It T-shirt. This month Visalus launched a program called Project 10 Kids. For every person who gets their I LOST It T shirt, a FREE bag of Vislaus Vi-Shape nutritional Meal replacement shake will be sent to a kid fighting obesity. If you have never heard of the 9o day Challenge and would like more info or you would like to earn an  I LOST It T-Shirt and help fight the Childhood Obesity epidemic, Go to this link for more info  www.project10kids.blogspot.com

Sources: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm
http://grist.org/article/food-2010-11-09-the-fast-food-industrys-4-2-billion-marketing-blitz/