When we consider the easy availability of fast food, soda, candy and other junk snacks in the U.S., it's no wonder that many people suffer from an obesity problem. Couple these facts with people often having a sedentary lifestyle behind a desk or counter and it's relatively easy for people to fall into the trap of weight gain with little recourse for improvement. Between avoiding the temptation of a quick, easy bite and willing ourselves into exercising regularly, staying healthy regularly takes an effort.
Of course, maintaining a good diet and a regular exercise regimen is easier when people start these habits from an early age. The habits we learn while we're young can stick with us for a lifetime, so emphasizing our children's health and wellness now can set kids on a path for better living for the rest of their lives.
Even the best parent can have trouble watching over his or her child all of the time, though. Between school, time with friends, field trips and all the other activities that parents may not participate in, the ability to guide our children's health is limited. Thankfully, the trend toward childhood obesity may finally be on the decline, according to health officials from the Women, Infants and Children program.
Preschoolers found less frequently suffering from obesity
Based finding from a study on 18 states, low-income preschoolers were found to be less likely to be affected by obesity than kids studied in previous years. This is notable because children in this demographic can be at greater risk for weight problems than their peers due to limited access to healthy food. While health officials noted that one in eight U.S. preschoolers are overweight, the problem is even more prevalent among black and Hispanic children. Overall, one-third of all children are impacted by this problem.
Still, the problem recently declined in states such as Washington and Mississippi. The most significant decreases were in Florida, Georgia, Missouri, New Jersey and South Dakota, which each reduced their obesity rates by one or more percent, according to the study.
"I'm hoping it's a trend. We're really trying hard," said Laurie Riegert, a nutritionist for the WIC.
What may be contributing to this recent decline is the assistance of groups such as the WIC, which offers vouchers for healthy food and nutritional advice to low-income families. The group's policies eliminated sugary drinks like juice and reduced the amount of saturated fat from low-income children's food packages. The WIC has also pushed for more breast-feeding, which may factor into the improvements.
"People are more aware of sugars," said Riegert. "They're trying not to give their kids soda, and they're starting to become aware of physical activity – that's hard for some families, because they're working full time."
Left untreated, childhood obesity can cause chronic pediatric medical conditions that continue into adulthood. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that it can lead to diabetes, bone and joint problems and an increased risk of heart disease in adulthood.
