Childhood Obesity - Fitness and Nutrition Facts for Child Health Promotion - Health - Nutrition

The rates of childhood obesity in Canada has tripled in the last 25-30 years. Data reports from other developing countries is quite similar. Childhood obesity is becoming a worldwide epidemic.

There can be no question that the two most significant factors in the childhood obesity epidemic are diet and exercise. The abundance of nutritionally deficient foods and a sedentary lifestyle are creating a generation poised to become adults with significant morbidity.

For the first time ever experts are calling the current generation of children an energy positive generation meaning that they have more calories going in than being expended through physical exercise and the excess energy is stored in the body as fat.

Here are the fitness and nutrition facts regarding childhood obesity:

These fitness and nutrition facts represent only a small portion of the knowledge base that is accumulating regarding the epidemic of childhood obesity. The data is clear that fitness and nutrition habits are established very early in life and are strongly influenced by marketing and the lifestyle of the family.

The best way to guard against childhood obesity is to reduce screen time, eat well, and move more. If you do these three things together as a family not only will you all become healthier, but as a result your family relationships will be strengthened.

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