The Fight Against Childhood Obesity Starts at Home!

12 million children aged 2 to 19 years old are now considered obese in the United States.  This is staggering because they make up 17% of all children in the United States.  Childhood obesity has become the one of the main health concerns, not only in the U.S. but all over the world.  It is one of the main causes of cardiovascular diseases and also diabetes.  Our society mostly blames fastfood restaurants such as McDonald's, Burger King, and others because of how "they target the children" with their ads and meals with toys (Happy Meal and BK Kids Meal).  But before we look elsewhere, we should start looking at our home and ourselves.  Many might disagree but I think parents play the biggest role in the development of childdhood obesity.  Since birth, parents mold their children's behaviors including eating habits.  Parents sometimes use food for other than nutritional needs such as a reward for good deeds or to calm a crying baby.  Parents serve most of their children's meals and all their recommended diet strictly depends on what type of food is in front of them.  Additionally, most households have 2-working parents nowadays which means that no one is left at home with the children most of the time and that they really don't have time to play with their children and do other physical activities.  Also, they would be too tired to make home-cooked, more healthy meals after a long day at work and would just grab some Chinese food or Big Macs for dinner.  As you can see, these everyday things contribute greatly on childhood obesity and without parents changing their lifestyles, we just have to be used to the next generation of obese Americans!