Approximately one-third of American children are overweight or obese.  Why is it difficult for children to maintain a healthy weight?  Dr. Stephen Daniels, chief pediatrician at Children’s Hospital Colorado, says,
 

Think about it.  Every day kids are exposed to advertising about fast food instead of home-cooked meals. They're surrounded by vending and soda machines at school. They have hundreds of channels on TV, own three video game systems and live in neighborhoods that were built without sidewalks.  Our environment is constantly pushing kids in the wrong direction.

Studies show that overweight children are often bullied and feel isolated by peers.  Both children and adults consume foods with a higher fat content in response to stress.  Gary Evans, an environmental and developmental psychologist at Cornell University, led a study analyzing the effects of stress on weight gain in children and adolescents.  The study found that stress damages a child’s self-control, which results in a higher body mass index.  Here are a few tips to help combat stress.  It is also worth looking into increasing tyrosine, the stress amino acid, in a child’s diet.  In his research, Evans found that children in lower income areas have less access to healthy food, more junk food available, fewer areas to play outside, and difficulty controlling bad impulses. 

Dr. Daniels says, "As hard as it is to make a change at age 10, it's that much easier than at 30 or 40”.  Currently, two-thirds of obese children grow up to be obese adults.  When trying to help a child lose weight, Dr. Daniels encourages the entire family to eat healthier and be more active to create a positive environment.  He says, “It’s helpful to go slow.  It’s about simple goals.  You don’t have to be the perfect weight in order to have the health benefits”.  While the process is difficult, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that obese youths are at a greater risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, liver disease and bone and joint problems.

What do you think can be done to stop cihldhood obesity?