What are the Root Causes of Obesity in Children?
The first cause of obesity in children is genetics. Unfortunately this is the one cause that cannot be completely prevented. If your parents are either overweight or obese, the chances go up that you will be prone to this condition as well. The question then becomes whether the increased risk of obesity comes from your actual genetic makeup or from the lifestyle that you learned from your parents throughout your childhood. Either way, there are factors that can reduce your risk of becoming obese, even if your genes are working against you. First of all, develop good eating habits early in life, then stick with them into adulthood. This means selecting fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products in place of high fat and low nutrition choices such as processed and junk food. It also means eating only when you are hungry or at meal time, instead of snacking out of habit or boredom. The second cause of obesity in children stems from having a sedentary lifestyle. Most child
