Processed foods in child nutrition

 Recent studies indicate that 1 out of every 6 children under the age of 13 is overweight. Many people believe that the sedentary nature of our society, combined with the convenience of processed foods has created a dangerous precedence in child nutrition. Obesity affects children both physically and mentally, and can have significant effects on adult health as well.
Limiting certain foods, while encouraging more healthy choices is a great way to promote a nutritional diet that does not seem completely restrictive.
Keep Sugar Moderate. While most kids love candy, cookies and other sweets, too much sugar can play havoc with their energy levels. Additionally, refined sugars add little nutritional value to your child's diet. Try replacing processed sweets with naturally sweet foods,an example being :fresh fruits.

Watch for caffeine intake,There is nothing wrong with giving your child soda on special occasions, but it is better to stick to milk, juice or water on a regular basis. Aside from the caffeine overload, soda has no nutritional content and adds empty calories to your child's diet.
Implement Non food Rewards.An example being: Instead of treating your kids to ice cream when they get good grades, try rewarding them with a desired CD or other non-food item. Psychologically seeing junk food as a reward may lead to poor food decisions on the part of your child.
Fast-food restaurants have become mainstream in the past several years and practically all of America takes advantage of the cheap prices, quick service and tasty meals. Convenient as they may be, these meals contain practically no nutrients. They are comprised mostly of saturated fats and highly refined carbohydrates and are loaded with sodium and sugar.

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases.

Diabetes is a serious disease that stops the body from making or properly using insulin, a hormone needed to change sugar, starches, and other food into energy required for daily life.  

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an immune system disease where the body makes little or no insulin. It usually begins in childhood or teens. Children with type 1 diabetes need daily insulin shots to help their bodies use food. Type 1 diabetes often runs in families, and whites have a higher rate of type 1 diabetes than other racial groups.

Warning Signs of Type 1 Diabetes (These symptoms may come on suddenly):

• Extreme thirst
• Frequent urination
• Drowsiness, lethargy
• Sugar in urine
• Sudden vision changes
• Increased appetite
• Sudden weight loss
• Fruity, sweet, or wine-like odor or breath
• Heavy, labored breathing
• Stupor, unconsciousness

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a disease where the body cannot make enough, or can't properly use, insulin. Although this form of diabetes usually occurs most often in adults, it is becoming more common in youth. The average age of diagnosis of type 2 diabetes in youth is 12-14 years. It is more common among girls than boys. The number of children with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes has risen since 1994.

Warning Signs of Type 2 Diabetes (Youth with type 2 diabetes can have some or all of the following signs and symptoms. Some youth with type 2 diabetes will have no symptoms.):

• Frequent urination
• Unusual thirst
• Extreme hunger
• Extreme tiredness
• Irritability
• Slow healing of wounds or sores
• Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
• Itching
• Blurred vision
• Acanthosis nigricans (dark, velvety patches on the skin around the neck or in the armpits)
• High blood pressure

Childhood obesity

  Obesity-prevention interventions can be effective at changing the behaviors of both children and their parents.

It makes sense to locate obesity prevention programs in schools and child care centers, where instructors can reach both children and their parents, but many schools and child care centers lack the resources or skills to implement new programs. In addition, schools are under increasing pressure to devote time to academics rather than to health oriented programs. These problems can be countered in part by providing schools and child care centers with the funds and training required to implement obesity prevention programs.

Here is a site that speaks about the fruit and vegetable grant .http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/FreshFruitandVegetables.htm

Simple ways of prevention

Changes that can be made to prevent over weight and obese children:
1)Limit their sugar sweetend beverages
2)encourage consumption of recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables
3)Limiting Television and other screen time per day(2 hours a day)Remove televisions from childrens rooms
4)Eat breakfast every day
5)Limited eatimg outat resturants,especailly fast foods
6)eating a diet rich in calcium
7)Eating a diet high in fiber
8)eating a diet that follows the RDI for macronutrients (carbs,prtien and fat)
9)Promoting moderate to vigerous activity for at least 30 minutes a day
10)limiting energy dense foods.

Blogger :: Childhood obesity and their futures :: Configure Profile

Blogger :: Childhood obesity and their futures :: Configure Profile

What leads to childhood obesity

Most of us would be in agreement that childhood obesity in America is a growing threat to our children's futures. Below are several reasons for childhood obesity in our children today:First is Diet : What, where, and how much kids eat such as significantly larger portions and increased number of calories per food item.Ex.McDonald's super size meals.
 Exercise : In general, we lead less active lifestyles. We make the decision of taking the car or motorized scooter to run errands or go to school instead of walking or riding a bike.
 Technology - Concerning obesity,  In general kids today prefer sitting hours on end in front of the TV or computer,or playing video games.
 Always in a hurry : The rushed lives of both parents and children result in less fresh, healthy home cooked meals at the dinner table with the family and ingestion of higher calorie dense fast foods.
 Financial pressures :As we are all feeling at this point in time, economic issues cause many parents to work longer hours, double jobs, be less at home,which in turn  provide less supervision and guidance to their children.
 Less sleep : It is very interesting to note that the latest research has shown that if you are deprived of sleep, you have a tendency to not only be overweight, but to be obese.
 Psychological: Yes, it is true that your mind has effects on the body.( Especially stress)  Stress has a nasty affect on our bodies and minds and obesity is no exception to this.This also has an effect on the increase of eating disorders.
 Health problems : Sometimes there are hidden medical issues that make it very difficult to manage weight such as abnormalities in the thyroid gland and hormone or certain medications used.
Out of the home meals : More and more children are eating more than one meal at school. The need to offer more healthy options at schools has definitely been shown and many school shave already implemented changes to their menus.Ex.many have added fresh fruits and vegetables daily.
Obesity generally starts in childhood and continues in to their adult lives.

The future of childhood obesity

This September, with the debut of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, the spotlight is on the future health of America's youth and the commitment we must all make to ensure our children have a fair chance at healthy lives.Do you know that nearly 17 percent of American children and adolescents are obese. Today children as young as 10 are being diagnosed with high blood pressure and weight-related to type 2 diabetes?What is the future for our children if we don't get this under control now?