Childhood Obesity & The Metabolic Syndrome

One third of children in the United States is either overweight or obese. More teenagers are now being referred to surgeons for bariatric or obesity surgery. Something needs to be done to stop the cycle of continous weight gain in children. Obesity increases the risk for Type II, or non-insulin dependent Diabetes Mellitus. The number of children being diagnosed with this form of diabetes is increasing each year. Children today are found to have poor nutritional habits and higher cholesterol levels. Obesity is a risk factor for diabetes,and as these children become young adults, they could develop the Metabolic Syndrome. The Metabolic Syndrome is a group of findings that puts people at a higher risk for heart attacks and strokes. One of the characteristics of the Metabolic Syndrome is waist size. If you are a male and you have a waist size of 40 inches, or a women and have a waist size of 35 inches, you are at risk for the Metabolic Syndrome.

There are many reasons for this increase in childhood obesity. Poor food choices, the lack of knowledge regarding nutrition, lack of exercise, school burden and parent over scheduling. Gone are the days of coming home from school, going to the local park,and still having enough time to complete homework. Now, too much time is spent with video games, computers, and homework. Texting is a sport onto itself, but unfortunately does not burn enough calories. While schools are now first addressing healthier lunch items, they must also address the exorbitant amount of homework and projects given to children in middle school and high school. These are the ages where children are found to be overweight and obese. In the past, 10 math problems would suffice, now 25 problems are needed. Add to that, laboratory reports, and assignments requiring multiple chapters to be read and outlined in their other subjects, as well as, a testing and quiz schedule every two weeks. There is certainly no time for exercise, and a limited amount of time to sleep. Schools need to acknowledge this problem and limit the amount of homework. On the show, " Everybody Loves Raymond", Raymond had a feeble attempt to speak to his child's grade school teacher about the excessive homework, but he was intimidated. Was this another "show about nothing", or was it really true to life?

Parents need to take a more active role in educating their children about healthier food, and offer vegetables and fruits in the home. Fast food needs to be removed as a regular meal choice. Smaller portions and healthy snacks needs to be emphasized. Sodas and high calorie sport drinks should be very limited in the diet. Use your child's pediatrician as a resource.



When kids have down time, they turn to their computers, video games, and phones, not to exercise. Parents have to reinforce the benefits of regular exercise for their children.Exercise can be as simple as walking, going to a park, or bicycling. Given the time constraints on today's children, 40 minutes of continuous aerobic exercise four times a week, is a minimal recommendation. Any activity with movement, such as dancing, walking, basketball,soccer, hitting a tennis ball or paddle ball against the wall are all acceptable. The key word is continuous movement, and multiple times a week.

We are embarking on a new year, 2009, and now is the time to fight the growing epidemic of childhood obesity,and diabetes. This will lead to a growth in heart disease. This path is totally preventable with lifestyle modification and exercise. Take the time to help our children help themselves stay healthy. It is a team effort. The challenge is ours.

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