Child obesity is much more prevalent in the United States now than it was in the past. The Daily Meal proposes ten reasons why that might be:
- Growing portion sizes. Portion sizes have been growing over the years, causing children to eat more than they might realize.
- School food. Children eat processed food during the school day and have access to vending machines with junk food.
- Lack of physical activity. Kids spend too much time watching TV and playing video games and not enough time being active.
- Food advertising and marketing. Children and adolescents are marketed with their favorite characters and TV shows advertising food that’s processed and high in calories.
- Limited access to healthy and affordable foods. In some areas, fresh, healthy foods are hard to find and parents must turn to convenience stores for food instead of buying fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Mass production of cheap food. Processed, unhealthy foods and drinks are cheaper than healthier options.
- Increasing intake of high calorie beverages. More kids drink sodas and juices that are high in sugar and calories.
- Lack of breast-feeding. Studies show that breast-feeding has some protection against obesity because babies stop eating when they’re full instead of being encouraged to finish the bottle.
- Less time spent at the dinner table. Families are busier and often parents turn to the convenience of fast food instead of home-cooked meals for dinner.
- General lack of nutrition education. If parents aren’t aware of healthy eating principles, they can’t teach them to their children.
The reasons for obesity are different for each child and family. Learning good habits, like those promoted at Camp Pocono Trails, are one effective way to help combat some of the contributing factors and to help kids and teens lose weight and keep it off.
