While our nation’s obesity rate may be starting to level off for children in the U.S., it still remains a major problem — one that, with a little diligence, parents can help solve.
Common obesity-related chronic diseases in children
Overweight and obese children are more likely to eventually suffer from serious lifelong illnesses, including:
- Heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Cancer
The fiscal outlay for managing these serious diseases and the affect it can have on the individual’s ability to work and make money can also lessen the family’s overall socioeconomic level.
Latino children are hardest hit
According to a new report, statistics among Latino youth remain significantly higher than any other group. The Fact Sheet produced by the Leadership for Healthy Communities, indicates that Latino children and adolescents are significantly more likely to be overweight and obese than their Caucasian peers.
The study found:
- 22.4% of Hispanic youths ages 2 to 19 are obese, compared with 16.9 percent of all youths.
- Preschool-age Hispanic children are four times more likely to be obese compared to non-Hispanic white children.
- Hispanics are 50% more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes than non-Hispanic whites.
As an immigrant to the United States, I can certainly understand the draw to share and retain the culture of one’s homeland, including the customs and familiar foods that go along with it. But as parents, we must first and foremost think about our children’s short and long-term health needs.
When obesity begins in childhood, it can be a difficult battle to fight throughout life. So as a parent, it’s important to start young.
What can you do? Here are 5 ways to help keep your children fit
Simple changes can yield very positive results:
- Feed your children food in its most natural state: fresh vegetables, fruits, fish and white meat. If fresh is not available or prohibitively expensive, purchase frozen without added sugar on fruits or breading on meats.
- Keep processed foods (that come in bags or boxes) out of the house.
- Have a big pitcher of water in the refrigerator at all times. Dress it up with a few slices of fresh citrus. If that’s all there is in your kitchen, children will drink it.
- Get outside. Play. Introduce a new sport — Frisbee, riding a bike, jogging around the track at your local high school. Sign your children up for a local sports team where they will get regular exercise, gain confidence and make new friends.
- Get real about portion control: Many of my Hispanic patients seeking bariatric weight loss surgery are surprised to discover the proper portion of meat (the size of the palm of your hand) or the (shocking) amount of carbohydrates in a cup of rice.
We all want our children to grow up healthy. It’s up to us, as parents, to set to set the stage for success when our kids are young.
About Dr. Seun Sowemimo, MD, FACS
Dr. Seun is a top NJ bariatric surgeon and the medical director at Prime Surgicare, with offices in Freehold serving Monmouth and Ocean counties. He is board-certified, Columbia and Yale University fellowship-trained in advanced laparoscopic, bariatric and general surgery.
To learn more, visit his YouTube channel or call Prime Surgicare at (732)-982-2002.