I recently had the opportunity to interview Dr. Carol, an MD who is board certified in general pediatrics and obesity medicine but prefers private coaching for people with obesity.
We got into a great discussion about how to help parents and children lose weight and how to deal with the consequences of obesity.
One hugely concerning thing is the prevalence of obesity in our children. The CDC in the US notes that between 2017 and 2020, obesity prevalence was:
And the rates are on the rise!
Why is this?
Doctors agree that consuming more calories than the body needs and not getting enough physical activity is one of the main causes.
But factors such as genetics, family habits, and environmental influences can also contribute to the development of obesity in children. Personally, I feel that our modern way of life is so far removed from our physiology that most kids today haven’t got a chance. I have 2 kids and give them a choice between anything pre-packaged and sweetened and some real whole-food vegetables; I’m afraid to say they will take the sweet stuff every time.
The sad part is that childhood obesity can have serious health implications, especially an increased risk of developing chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Obese children may also face psychological and social challenges, such as low self-esteem and bullying or shaming, as Dr Carol points out.
What can be done?
Prevention is key; this starts by helping parents with education and understanding. Yes, ironically, budget can be a factor as some of the calories dense, unhealthy food can be cheaper than other more healthy food, but this is not always the case.
One of my colleagues, Barb Sheldon, who was featured on episode 2 of the Your Lifestyle Is Your Medicine Podcast (https://edpaget.com/?cat=search_podcasts&s=barb)
Notes that not many people have the knife skills to prepare fresh food. She teaches knife skills to her clients so they can feel comfortable preparing vegetables.
This type of education needs to be country-wide or even global. You see, the problem, at the moment, is mainly concentrated in developed countries, but as other countries with large populations develop, scientists have noticed an increase in obesity.
I see this where I currently am in Nicaragua. Kids and adults will prefer drinking Coca-Cola over water; for some, it’s their only drink!
If you and your family struggle with obesity, I suggest seeking someone like Dr Carol or myself who can give you a holistic approach to weight loss.
We address factors like sleep, stress, purpose, and community which, when combined with nutrition and physical activity, make Your Lifestyle into Your Medicine
DM me. I’m always happy to chat!
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