Obesity in Children Encyclopedia of Exercise

Question: Do you believe that childhood obesity is increasing or decreasing since you were a preschool age child? What lifestyle habits helped or prevented you from maintaining a healthy childhood weight? What program or theories from this video should be incorporated into early childhood settings? Answer: 1: Childhood obesity has multiplied over the past three decades. It has been named the modern day epidemic for its widespread effects. The statistics show that the number of obese children has increased exponentially since the 1980s (Gutin, 2012). In the preschool age of the yesteryear, that is when I was in the pre-school age, children enjoyed playing outdoor games and were accustomed to eating homemade food. Times have changed, and life has become busier. Children eat unhealthy junk food more than healthy homemade food; enjoy video games more than outside game. This has instigated increased obesity. 2: The best way to combat childhood obesity is to encourage outdoor sports, eating healthy, sleeping early and getting up early (Skinner Skelton, 2014). When I was a child, outdoor games of soccer and basketball were commonplace among the children and the teenagers; this developed into a habit and kept us active all the time. In our childhood eating homemade food was the norm. Chicken and broccoli were not force fed, but whether we liked it or not, the home food was the only option. The games kept us active, and the food kept the harmful toxins and fat away. 3: The video discusses the importance of developing lifelong healthy habits in children of impressionable age. Children of modern times can be taught to grow their garden, so they understand the importance of vegetables and enjoy the growing process. The fun activity will encourage them to eat more greens. Starting healthy habits like playing outside and communicating clearly can help in the healthy growth of the children as well. References Gutin, B. (2012). Obesity in Children.Encyclopedia of Exercise Medicine in Health and Disease, 657-659.Skinner, A. C., Skelton, J. A. (2014). Prevalence and trends in obesity and severe obesity among children in the United States, 1999-2012.JAMA pediatrics,168(6), 561-566.