Childhood obesity is one of the long-running issues over our younger generation that has been overlooked for so many years. The belief that children is being nourished is in the matter of whether it is healthy or not anymore. Among all of the temptations today, the fast food and commercially endorsed unhealthy foods make it an effort to maintain the healthy lifestyle without depriving the children of their delicious and tasty childhood memories.
A recent study made a survey in regards to childhood obesity and its long-term consequences that could affect the growth and development of young children. As reports have showed that the signs of heart disease are now showing in children as young as eight years old. In the survey where they gathered 20 clinically obese children and 20 of normal weight, with ages from 8 years old up to 16 years old, using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and other diagnostics tests, it showed that about 40 percent of the children who were obese are susceptible to the risk of heart diseases. As the present the findings to the American Heart Association, Geisinger Health System's Linyuan Jing, the study's lead author said, "This was surprising and alarming to us, at such a young age, [children have] already developed clear evidence of heart disease,"
Obesity in children could have sinister effects in their bodies. The excess body fat is also responsible for the thickening of the muscles in the left ventricle of the heart, increasing its muscle mass significantly up to 27 percent, which are both risks for heart disease. Observing the body mass index or BMI, which is calculated in accordance to the height and weight, is relevant in awareness and keeping watch of the children's health.
Currently in the United States alone, one in three children is considered overweight, in ages ranging from 2 to 19. Parents are encouraged to take initiative in keeping the balance between healthy and delightful in their child's diet. Parents should be highly motivated to help their children maintain a healthy weight. "Ultimately we hope that the effects we see in the hearts of these children are reversible; however, it is possible that there could be permanent damage. This should be further motivation for parents to help children lead a healthy lifestyle." Gensinger said.
