Practical Practitioner
By: Pamela Egan, FNP-C CDE
Junior League Helps Raise Awareness of Childhood Obesity
MARCH 11, 2008 – Kudu’s to the children and families who participated in the Junior League of Greater Covington’s first successful “Stomp Out Childhood Obesity” Fun Run, an initiative to raise awareness of the Childhood Obesity epidemic that is getting worse not better.
Seventeen percent of children between the ages of 6 and 19 are overweight and at risk for becoming obese adults. This is three times the rate reported in the 1970’s.
Children of normal weight parents have only a 10% chance of becoming obese. Children of two obese parents have 80-90% probability of being obese.
Each year, more American children are killed by obesity than gun violence. When you look at the facts regarding obesity, it is startling. Approximately 400,000 deaths are attributable to obesity in the United States each year. Obesity increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, and more.
Did you know that Southern states have the highest obesity rates in the U.S.? Seven out of ten U.S. adults are overweight or obese. One third women are obese. Obese women are at greater risk of infertility (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome).
Children who gain too much weight are more likely to have health problems when they get older and they are also more likely to be overweight as adults.
Why is it that Americans keep getting fatter and fatter? As I look around the grocery store I see more and more processed, high carbohydrate, and high sugar foods. As a child, we would drink soft drinks on special occasions only. Now a days, children walk around with sodas in their hands on a daily basis. In 1916, a Coca Cola was served in a 6.5 fluid oz. bottle containing 79 calories. Today, a 16 oz. bottle of Coke has 194 calories and about 30 teaspoons of sugar.
Could it be that the Food Industry is trying to get Americans addicted to unhealthy and fattening foods? In one year, the average child will watch about 10,000 commercials touting food or beverages. There is definitely a commercial push for a lot of unhealthy foods. Parents must take a stand on feeding their children healthier foods. The super sized McDonald’s fries today are 610 calories for a 7 ounce serving as compared to 210 calories for a 2.4 oz. serving in 1955.
Not only are our children consuming those unhealthy foods that they have become addicted to, they lead a more sedentary lifestyle with less physical activity and less physical education in schools. They watch more TV and play more video games. It’s no coincidence that the childhood obesity rates in this country continue to rise.
We are seeing more and more Type 2 Diabetes in our children due to insulin resistance. As children eat an excess of starch and sugar, they release excess insulin which wears out the insulin receptors. The receptors get stuck. It takes more and more insulin to get through the receptors. Insulin is a fat storage hormone, so the higher the insulin level, the fatter you get. Too much insulin in the blood clogs up the arteries and leads to heart disease. The only way to reverse insulin resistance is to limit sugar, starch and exercise regularly.
So it’s true. Parents must set the example for their children and stop buying sodas, cookies, candies, and processed foods. Shop the outer aisles of the grocery store rather than the inner aisles where the processed foods are. Teach your children to drink water and eat raw vegetables, fruits, nuts & cheese for their snacks. It does take an effort, but all will be healthier in the long run.
Pamela Egan, FNP-C, CDE is a board certified Adult & Family Nurse Practitioner, Certified Diabetes Educator & Clinical Specialist in Mental Health. She practices in Women’s Health with Kathy Posey, MD & can be reached at 985-867-1700 or www.pamelaegan.com.
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