The document discusses how what we see and do can directly affect our health, as inactivity such as excessive TV watching can contribute to weight gain and obesity in children, while being physically active and modeling good behaviors for children can help promote healthier habits. It also notes that media influences like food advertising can impact snacking habits in kids, and that a lack of physical activity is linked to higher risks of health issues beyond just weight, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. The document encourages replacing sedentary behaviors with physical activity both inside and outside.
6. What can we really do?
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http://www.yourtango.com/2014238317/parenting-tips-real-reason-children-are-liars
We have all heard that sedentary activity is unhealthy, sitting around watching TV, playing video games, just plain laziness can all negatively effect health. Research shows that watching television can lead to mindless eating which can be equally as bad whether its carrots or potato chips. Obviously potato chips are far worse for your health due to the high fat, sodium, and added ingredients but eating too many carrots can actually lead to more over eating in the future and trouble feeling full altogether.
Children are highly susceptible to the negative side effects when it comes to lack of activity. Stunted growth, insomnia, weight gain, tiredness, and trouble focusing in school can all be results of inactivity. Children spend so much time at school learning in a sedentary position that coming home to the couch can be very detrimental. Add unhealthy snacks and mindless eating and you have the recipe for physical disaster.
Now take all that we discussed in the previous slide and factor in what we see on a day to day basis. With technology these days there is so much out there trying to influence our decisions. Television, social media, video games, billboards, and radio it never ends. More and more these companies are gearing their marketing schemes towards children, especially when it comes to food products.
The chart shown is just one research studies findings about the quality of food that is marketed. Go food is healthiest option, fruits, veggies, yogurt, etc. which only makes up 1% of the marketing base. Whoa food is the most processed food that should really only be consumed on occasion, if at all, and that makes up a whooping 55% of the marketing time for food commercials shown during children’s programming. It raises the question of where to place responsibility? As parents we can only control so much of what our children see but they absorb everything.
Short term effects of our unhealthy habits can eventually lead to life long health battles. Starting with weight gain which if kept unmanaged can lead to obesity. Children who are obese in childhood and adolescence are more likely to remain obese into adulthood. Carrying extra weight can lead to higher blood pressure which if unmanaged for a long period can directly affect the lifespan of your internal organs. This can lead to cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, and greatly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is when the body becomes unable to regulate insulin, the patient may need to use insulin regulating medication, and can lead to failure of the kidneys, liver, and pancreas if unregulated for long periods of time. Obviously these are some of the most extreme outcomes but they are some of the most life threatening when not properly addressed and taken care of.
Physical sides affects are not the only life threatening ramifications of unhealthy habits. Research shows a higher rate of self esteem issues among pre-adolescent and adolescent girls struggling with weight and obesity issues. This can lead to eating disorders that can internally break down organs. Anxiety rates are shown to be higher among both female and male children when overweight or obese. Leading to high rates of depression which is not something children are mentally prepared to deal with at such a young age.
Male children seem to struggle more with attention deficit disorder (ADD) or behavioral issues with increased aggression and violence when struggling with weight. It is so easy to see the physical challenges that result from unhealthy habits but it’s the silent internal and mental ones that can truly break a child.
In 2009 there was some regulations put in place for how much companies could market a type of food towards children. The percentages shown are before and after the self regulation periods. I find it particularly interesting that when policies were put into place we actually saw a drop in Go (healthiest) food option advertising and a rise in Slow (canned food, crackers, waffles, etc.). I believe the rise in Slow food was to bridge the gap that was created in having to decrease the amount of air time marketing the Whoa food.
There are so many programs and policies put into place nowadays like MyPlate and Play 60 yet it does not seem to be enough. The smarter the consumer gets the smarter the big companies get at pushing their products onto our children. They market these cool characters to the kids and then add slogans such as “added calcium” and “100% whole wheat” to products to make the parents believe they are actually better but in retrospect it’s the same bad food.
We have to remember that children are like sponges and so very influential. As parents we play the largest role in creating these healthy habits and setting them up for life. Granted as they get older it gets harder but we can start as early as in utero all the way through adulthood. Limit TV time and when you let them watch it try to find something with limited commercial influence. Eat a well balanced diet because your children do watch what you eat, keep unhealthy high processed foods out of the house. Get up and be active. You will feel better but you will teach your children to enjoy being physically active.
Take a hike, go swimming, play at the park, or just walk around the neighborhood looking at things. With the Arizona heat it does get hard but there are public pools, indoor playgrounds at the mall, or walk after the sun goes down. Nothing beats bonding with your kids while doesn’t something fun that can greatly benefit your health.
