All it takes is an extra 50 calories a day.
According to University of Wisconsin pediatric endocrinologist David Allen, M.D. most parents are not aware that it is a relatively small amount of excess calories on daily basis that lead to weight problems in kids. Taking in an extra 50 calories a day (than what the child expends) will lead to departures from a normal growth chart and a child who is markedly overweight by the time they are an adolescent.
50 calories?? That's just two pieces of Twizzlers licorice.
This excess weight is leading to early (very early) Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, orthopedic problems, cancer and is ultimately pointing to early death. This may be the first generation to be outlived by their parents.
Cancer? Heart disease? Death? We cannot forget that it is our jobs as parents to keep our kids from harm…to provide food, shelter, love, and restrictions.
As their devoted guardians, let us step up to the plate.
The solution?
- Say hell no to fast food and junk food in your home. (Don’t buy it.)
- Say hell no to televisions in the bedroom. (Never, ever.)
- Say hell no to the endless hours of video games and computer time. (And for goodness sake at least set a time limit or a curfew on texting).
Our kids health, their futures and increasingly their lives are at stake. Let the mama and papa bear in you rise up and take back your parental control.
As parents, we don’t give ourselves enough credit…we can make a difference. And that is exciting.
Listen to Kathleen's full interview with Dr. David Allen.
And here's an excellent article in TIME Magazine about the long-term health outlook for overweight kids (including liver and pancreas damage.)
Send comments to Kathleen.
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