From Your Health Journal…..”I found a great article this morning on the LaGrange News web site written by Thomas Hunkele called Real Parents Care About Health Of Children. I had to share this well written and honest article with my loyal visitors, as Mr. Hunkele did a wonderful job capturing a growing problem in the United States – Obesity. The author begins by discussing his recent visit to the supermarket, where he witnessed an obese woman shopping, but what caught his eye was the two obese children accompanying here. The author’s instinct was to advise her on healthy lifestyle, but I am not quite sure if he did it in person or through his article. Along with psychological/psychosocial complications are the physical complications – and they are many. Obesity can often cause asthma and that could result in sleep apnea and exercise intolerance – without proper sleep, both education and the learning process suffer – that places your child even more out-front for criticism and insult. With obesity comes the risk of cardiovascular disease, to include chronic inflammation of the heart and high blood pressure, neurological damage caused by stroke, and Type-2 diabetes. These are the “obvious” physical complications of obesity – it’s often the un-obvious that create the most havoc. Please visit the LaGrange News web site (link provided below) to view the complete article. It is wonderful, and I would love sending traffic their way.”

From the article…..

She came around the corner of the frozen-food section – she was large but I wasn’t surprised at her weight since 35 percent of Americans are obese (referenced: CDC Statistics 2011), the highest country-level on record. What surprised me most was the size of her two children, one in the cart and one walking – both obviously not just overweight but obese. I’m sure what causes Mom’s obesity is primarily stress-driven, perhaps a total lack of dietary common-sense, and limited physical-exercise. With the exception of a childhood disease, I’m also positive that the cause of her children’s obesity is her and perhaps her husband. I know mom can see that her children are obese, but I believe she has no clue related to the complications of childhood obesity – so I’d thought I’d help her to understand.

Hey Mom, the complications of childhood obesity are many so let’s start with the psychosocial. Children who are obese develop a very-early sense of poor self-esteem – once they begin school they can’t side-step or avoid the reaction of children around them, which is often brutal. They are called names such as “fatty”, they are infrequently chosen as friends and most often can’t participate in physical activities – all isolating them socially. Children who are obese develop the eating habits directed/allowed by their parents and unfortunately often develop depression, a major factor in poor health. Obesity influences self-esteem – self-esteem is often the “engine of success”.

To read the full article…..Click here