Childhood obesity is a growing problem in much of the developed world, and data from the Center for Disease Control shows that it in America, about 17% of U.S. kids are suffering from the condition—representing a doubling or even tripling of prevalence when compared to 30 years ago. Childhood obesity is more widespread amongst minorities and low-income families.
How could one stop the condition before it becomes an even greater issue? Well, according to a recent study, changing a few activities in the house could be more promising than setting out a rigorous diet/exercise regime when the situation is virtually out of control.
A research conducted by Dr. Taveras of the Massachusetts General Hospital for Children and Jess Haines of the University of Guelph, lends credence to this statement. These researchers enlisted the help of 121 families that had overweight children (2 to 5 year olds). These were split into two groups, and one group was helped to make lifestyle changes with the help of “help coaches” who checked up on them, either in person or by calling (identified as the intervention group), while the other group did not receive such help. The help coaches would suggest books or games that parents could give their children instead of dumping them in front of the TV when the time came for them to handle household chores.
The study lasted six months, and within that period, it was discovered that children in the intervention group spent an average 45 minutes more in sleep, and had cut TV watching by an hour. An evaluation of their Body Mass Index (BMI), a reliable indicator of the body’s state of fatness, showed that it had dropped by 20%.
The second group had a 20% increase in their BMI, meaning that they had put on weight, while the other group had lost weight.
These findings corroborate current studies that have drawn a correlation between 4 home routines and a healthy child’s weight; regular and sufficient sleep, restricting TV viewing, having meals together and removing the TV in a child’s bedroom.
As the results suggest, the easiest way to ensure your children do not lapse into obesity is to follow these simple routines.
By Matengo Chwanya
Sources: livescience/ usnews/ counselheal/
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