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Unpacking the Impact of Obesity: A Closer Look at the Risks for Our Children

The Escalating Crisis of Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity is not just a phase; it’s a critical public health challenge that has been steadily rising. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the prevalence of obesity was 19.3% among children and adolescents aged 2-19 years in the United States from 2017-2020. This means that nearly 1 in 5 children and adolescents are obese (CDC).

The Role of the “Obesogenic” Environment
The term “obesogenic” refers to environments that promote weight gain and are not conducive to physical activity. Schools, as central parts of children’s lives, have come under scrutiny for contributing to this issue. The lack of gymnasiums and the presence of vending machines filled with unhealthy snacks are just two examples of how the school setting can influence a child’s weight. Efforts are underway globally to eliminate junk food vending machines from schools, a move that is celebrated by health advocates.

The Battle Against Unhealthy Food and Beverage Giants
Campaigns against major soft drink companies and other purveyors of highly processed foods are gaining momentum. For instance, initiatives like the “Soda Tax” in various cities aim to reduce consumption of sugary drinks by increasing their cost, thereby encouraging healthier choices (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health).

The Health Implications of Obesity in Children
Obesity in childhood can lead to a host of medical issues, both immediate and long-term. Here are some of the most common and less common health consequences:

Common Medical Consequences of Childhood Obesity
Hyperlipidemia: An imbalance of lipids in the bloodstream, leading to increased risk of heart disease.
Glucose Intolerance: A precursor to type 2 diabetes.
Hepatic Steatosis: Fatty liver disease, which can be improved with weight reduction.
Cholelithiasis: Gallstones, which can cause severe abdominal pain.
Early Maturation: Advanced bone age, linked to increased body fat and health issues in adulthood.
Less Common Medical Consequences
Hypertension: High blood pressure is more prevalent in overweight children.
Sleep Apnea: Disrupted breathing during sleep, often requiring medical intervention.
Pseudotumor Cerebri: A condition involving increased pressure within the skull.
Orthopaedic Complications: Issues affecting the feet, legs, and hips due to excess weight.
Addressing Childhood Obesity: Strategies for Management

When it comes to managing obesity in children, the approach must be tailored to the individual. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that weight loss should only be pursued if the child has health complications or a BMI-for-age above the 95th percentile for children aged 7 or older. Otherwise, the focus should be on maintaining weight while the child grows (AAP).

Key Elements of a Management Plan
Family-Centered Approach: Understanding the family’s readiness for change and available support systems.
Early Intervention: Addressing weight issues as soon as they are identified.
Lifestyle Changes: Gradual increase in physical activity and reduction in high-fat, high-calorie foods.
Parental Involvement: Parents play a crucial role in modeling and supporting healthy behaviors.
The Community’s Role in Curbing Obesity
To effectively tackle obesity, a collective effort is required. This means not only focusing on individual habits but also transforming the environments that foster unhealthy lifestyles. Community involvement, from policy changes to creating supportive environments for healthy living, is essential for making a lasting impact.

In conclusion, the fight against obesity, particularly in children, is a complex but necessary endeavor. It requires a concerted effort from individuals, families, and communities to create a healthier future for the next generation.

References and Further Reading
The CDC’s data on childhood obesity: CDC
Information on the Soda Tax and its impact: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines on obesity management: AAP
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.

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Paleo diet foods list, Paleo diet Guidelines

Before there were packaged goods, processed foods, GMOs and an ongoing debate between organic or not, there was dirt, seeds, water and roaming animals. It may be hard to consider now, but the dawn of man produced hunters and gatherers and humans had to get their own food – not by heading to the supermarket.

There were no sprays to kill insects, no chemicals or genes added or modified. No extra-large tomatoes or vibrant yellow bananas. Food was simple. It was either found, picked or hunted. And although there weren’t doctors or research scientists to confirm the benefits of such eating, it seems that when it comes to dietary habits, eating like our ancestors has some merit.

Diets come and diets go, but one in particular seems to have staying power and for good reasons as well. It’s based on eating similar to that of prehistoric man and it’s being touted as one of the best way to eat. It’s called the Paleo diet.

What is the Paleo diet?
The Paleo diet was created by Loren Cordain, a now-famous author, speaker and professor of health and exercise science at Colorado State University, who specializes in disease and diet. The Paleo diet itself reflects food items and methods of eating similar to our Stone Age ancestors – that’s right, this diet is framed around eating like cavemen. Through scientific research and peer-reviewed studies, Cordain has uncovered many health benefits to eating the Stone Age way.

There are seven premise on which the Paleo diet guidelines are based:

High protein
Low carbohydrates and low glycemic index
High fiber
Moderate to high fat intake – monosaturated and polysaturated fats with omega-3s and 6s

High potassium, low sodium
Net dietary alkaline balances dietary acid – some foods produce acid (meat) and others are alkaline (fruits and vegetables). Eating a balance of both alkaline and acid foods can have positive health effects.

High intake of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and plant phytochemicals.

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The 3 Week Diet Review- The 3 Week Diet Rapid Results!!

It is not a big surprise or magic to drop 15Lbs of fat in less than 3 weeks. Calorie shifting technique, one of the recent innovations of dieticians is the method we are going to handle in this article. Here you will get lots of tips to drop pounds in week’s time and trim your belly fat with natural foods.

3 Week Diet Review A 3 week diet is a weight loss program that covers the weight loss of dieting, motivation, and exercise.For More Info Visit Here : 3 Week Diet system

Plan 1
Your first plan in this weight loss program will be to avoid all the unnatural products. You will stop taking diet pills, if you are using it to lose weight. The negative side of the diet pills cannot be explained in words. These pills completely put an end to raising metabolism and increasing fat burning hormones. To drop 15Lbs of fat in less than 3 weeks, you also evade tinned foods recommended for weight loss.

The important thing in this plan is keeping away from faded foods. Faded foods such as heavy cheese contained pizzas, bad fat fast foods and other oily substances are enemies of metabolism. They do maximum trouble to your metabolism, if taken regularly spoiling the function of metabolism. This cause reverse effect and the fat do not melt instead increase. So, through the plan 1, you stay away from faded foods, stick to natural foods and increase metabolism.

Plan 2
What are these natural products?
These are the products that are in your own kitchen. Healthy dhal, wholesome grains, pulses, oat meal, corn, fruits & vegetables are some of the good products that are used in this weight loss program. You can drop 15Lbs of fat in less than 3 weeks even if you are not exercising and taking only these naturally made foods. Your breakfast should have good amount of proteins & carbohydrates. Since, you are taking food after 12 hours; it should have good nutritional value to burn the fat and increase metabolism.

In the calorie shifting diet method, you will be following 4 delicious, nutritious meals. The 4 meal will contain different calories. You will be increasing calorie level in your lunch, to give sudden surprise to it. This shifting calorie is done to rapidly increase the metabolism. So, shifting calorie technique will also increases fat burning hormones melting the fat permanently. The weight lost through this method is highly preferred, as you will not regain the lost weight any more and stay with permanent result.

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