Childhood Obesity: The "Fast Food" Effect!

We all know that childhood obesity in America is growing at an alarming rate. Between 10-15% of children in American today ARE considered obese. This statistic does not include any children that may be at-risk for becoming obese.

Many factors for this include improper nutrition, lack of proper daily exercise, Low to no exercise activities such as watching television, playing video games, etc.

All of these factors contribute to these high rates of obesity in kids but what I think is THE factor is what I call "THE FAST FOOD EFFECT". I am not saying that consuming fast food occasionally will make you fat but kids who eat fast food regularly are at high risk.

With today's economy the way it is and with many families leading such hectic lives both with work and school as well as with activities after school and work, many times instead of families eating healthy nutritionally balanced meals; they are turning to the Fast Food for the quick meal. This quickly becomes a habit in the lives of many people and some children end up eating fast food meals almost every day.

Eating like this on a regular basis will add up over time to your kids overall growth to an almost detrimental level. Even if your child eats fast food 2-3 times a week, they can add an additional six pounds to their weight every year. Think of what it maybe if they ate fast food everyday??

So, what can you do?

Be Informed! Know what is in the foods your kids are eating. What are the calories and fat grams in the foods. How much sugar is in their diet. Find healthier alternatives to eat when you are out and about. Show your kids by example and eat foods, yourself, that are healthy.

Saying "never again" to fast food is not the answer. But, by cutting down the amount of fast food that they consume a week, a month, a year will eliminate the risks of what fast food can do on childhood obesity.


Take a Sneak Peak At How to Improve Your Child's Healthy Eating!