Why Are Kids Getting Fatter?
Genetics are sometimes partially to blame for excess weight, but overeating and lack of physical activity are important factors. Too much television-watching appears largely to blame for the lack of physical activity among youngsters today. Consider the following statistics from a recent study published in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine: • Nearly half of U.S. children between the ages of 8 and 16 watch more than two hours of television a day. • The prevalence of obesity increased as hours of TV watching increased. • The number of calories consumed increased as TV watching did. • Only a little more than half of the children engaged in physical activity five or more days a week. What Can Parents Do? If your child is overweight, the first step is to acknowledge the problem and ask your child about his or her concerns. Most kids who are overweight are very aware of it, but they may not know what to do or where to turn. So talking to your child about the problem and promi
