Obesity

Today, 64.5 percent of adult Americans (about
127 million) are categorized as being overweight
or obese. Each year, obesity causes at least
300,000 excess deaths in the U.S., and healthcare
costs of American adults with obesity amount to
approximately $100 billion. Apart from the obvious
physical symptoms of being very large in size and
unable to partake in normal activities such as
sport, obesity increases one"s risk of developing
conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes
(type 2), heart disease, stroke, gallbladder
disease and cancer of the breast, prostate and
colon.

Child obesity is also becoming is large problem
facing America. The amount of overweight children
has risen significantly in the past ten years,
and is expected to grow at an even greater rate
in the future.

Not only does our society frown upon obesity on
those who have it, but more importantly, it serves
as a major health risk to those who have it. Thus,
we should be concerned about teaching our children
to eat well and stay active. Child obesity is not
only a problem because they may get teased at
school, it"s a problem that could carry into
adulthood where several health risks will coincide.

Not only are children eating more junk food than
they ever have before, but they are considerably
less active as well. Children have always loved
watching TV and playing video games, but it seems
to have gotten out of control. With the
introduction of a variety of games consoles and
now the internet, children spend more time
staring at electronic screens than playing outside.
It is this sedentary lifestyle that is hurting our
young. So, it is important to encourage your child
to get involved in out door activities. Organized
sports are great for this. Riding bikes, hiking,
or building tree houses and forts are typical
things that children love and should be encouraged
to consider instead of playing video games.