45 Million Obese Children

Culture & Society Forum

Study finds world has 45 million obese kids
WHO action plan up for critical vote


LONDON -- One of every 10 schoolchildren in the world is overweight, and about 45 million are obese and have an increased risk of developing diabetes, heart disease and other illnesses before the age of 20, said the first global assessment of child obesity.

The report, compiled by The International Obesity Task Force, estimates that at least 155 million children between the ages of 5 and 17, or about 10 percent of the total, are too heavy, while almost 45 million of them are obese.

The findings were submitted to the World Health Organization before next week's critical vote by the world's health ministers on whether to adopt a global strategy on diet, physical activity and health.

The strategy, which the U.N. health agency has been developing for two years, aims to head off a worldwide crisis in chronic diseases linked to bad eating habits and lack of exercise. A third of all deaths globally are from ailments linked to weight, lack of exercise and smoking.

Worldwide, the number of overweight people is greater than the number of hungry people. The prevalence of overweight people is dramatically higher in rich countries, but rates are rising across the globe, even in developing countries.

In South Africa, 25 percent of teenage girls are too fat -- similar to the average in the United States, which has one of the world's most serious obesity problems.

In Europe, childhood obesity has increased steadily, with the highest prevalence being in southern Europe. About 15 percent of northern European children are overweight, compared with about 30 percent in the south, the report estimates.

In Italy, a recent survey found that 36 percent of 9-year-olds were overweight or obese.

In some developing countries, childhood obesity not only was most prevalent among the wealthy but also was increasing among the urban poor.

In the United States, the number of overweight Hispanic and black children rose twice as fast during the 1990s than in white children, the report found.

1 in 10. That's amazing.

that is shocking. I think some of the reason is that fast food + tv is too common. Kids don't play outside like they used to do.

Attack of the Happy Meal.

McDonald's- 'Making asses fat since 1952.'

-HECK!

Good one HECK!
Sherry I think kids don't play outside anymore because it's too dangerous. When I was a kid, my mom used to kick us out of the house and tell us not to come back until dark. Now, parents are sewing lo-jack into their children's clothing or skin.
That's an interesting article though, I think the 1 in 10 is accurate, of all my niece's friends, I think that's the ratio for the one or two overweight kids.

You know, I believe that stat. Even when I was growing up, it was different. I am a ripe old 26, but I can see that kids are very different these days. It started with my generation, but it was turned in to an epidemic.

I'll site the two main reasons:

Eating has become too convenient.

Growing up, my parents worked full time but they still managed to make a solid dinner. It wasn’t always the healthiest, but it was home cooked and a thousand times better than fast food. Sure, there were fast food joints around, but not all of them were equipped with drive thru’s, there was no super size or extra value meal, and there wasn’t one around every corner. In the town I grew up in there was one of all the major fast food chains. Now there are 2-3 of each. Not to mention ten pizza delivery places.

When my parents were growing up, the few supermarkets around weren’t as gargantuan as they are now. People had to go to three places to get all their groceries. It took time to buy everything. It took longer to make it. Now you can get meat, a tire, bread, socks, milk, and a t-shirt all in one stop.

You can microwave a box and have a crappy meal in 2 minutes or a good meal in 2 hours. Parents now opt for the path of least resistance. As I’ve said before, kids are used to a quick-fix, I-want-it-now mentality. Roots in this are from their Generation-X parents who were teased with the coming storm we’re all now reveling in. Gen-X had fast food and video games, but I didn’t have a #3 from Mickey D’s and a Playstation 2 at my disposal.


Society has changed the ways children interact and socialize.

I used to play basketball, football, ‘tag’, etc. Sure, I had a Nintendo and a computer, but they were mere shells of what is out right now. The kids are playing video games and using the internet instead of participating in physical activities. And the parents are facilitating this because it’s easier to parent a kid who’s parked like a f’n zombie in front of the television. Plus, this enables parents to keep their children under their nose. I don’t see there being more kidnappers now than before. I would wager that the number of kidnappings in a particular community has risen concurrently with the overall population of said community. Sure, back in the 50’s or 60’s left their doors opened and what not. Now, there are more people and they’re living longer. Therefore, there are more sickos. We’re not going to be able to sleep with the door unlocked, but we can let the kids play in the streets. Just teach them not to talk to damn strangers. My mother had me so scared of people I didn’t know it almost turned into a phobia.


Finally, it’s obvious people are using these ‘conveniences’ as a crutch for parenting. They need to take the time. The responsibility lies with the parents to govern what the children eat and what they do for recreation. They cannot simply take the easy route. Parenting is a huge responsibility, not something you find a short cut for. They have to make a spaghetti dinner rather than getting a triple cheese pizza and bread sticks. They have to play catch instead of playing on an X-Box. Kids don’t know any better. Of course they like video games. They’re freakin’ cool. But if a child’s imagination is tickled at a young age it will enable them to broaden their horizons. They will explore things that no video game can offer. Stimulate them, push them, and when they whine and complain about it, put your damn foot down. Kids are going to dislike you. Think about it, did you always embrace every decision your parents ever made?

It’s a simple equation: Hot Pockets + 64 ounce Coke + Grand Theft Auto on PS2 = fat ass kid with no ambition.

Your choice. But don’t complain to me that little Johnny is pushing 300 on his 13th birthday.

-HECK!

Right Chel, it is not safe for kids to play outside. My kids do and I am with they the entire time.

Very nice HECK. I am 15, 115, and excersize daily. Lots of kids in school just don't care.

I wonder if you weighed your head and ego would you topple the scales huh Heck? LOL

Gotcha !!!! If you are so great you wouldn't let my little flea flicking bother your Royal@ss.

Hmmmmmm, I don't remember saying it bothered me. It's kind of interesting, actually. Talking to you is like interacting with a mentally slow kid selling newspapers outside the supermarket. You feel good just giving them the time of day. Have a great day, champ.

And speaking of my Royal @$$, feel free to get it a kiss on the way out:
http://www.boomspeed.com/heck/bootyshake.gif

If you still need to try and fling a useless quip my way, take it to the Flamer's Ward. Don't waste threads in here trying to step up to me. Desperation doesn't become you.

-HECK!