Obesity is defined as having excessive body fat that increases health risks. It is caused by consuming more calories than burned through diet and lack of physical activity. Obesity contributes to health problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, certain cancers, and heart disease. To encourage healthy habits in students, schools should provide nutritious lunch options, teach the food pyramid, require daily exercise, and limit fast food and sugary vending machine snacks. Developing healthy attitudes and lifestyle habits early can help prevent obesity and related diseases.

1. Why is being healthy important?

2. How can we encourage students to be healthy?What is Obesity?Obesity is a physical condition that results from excessive storage of fat in the body. Obesity has been defined as a weight more than 20% above what is considered normal as per the body mass index, which is calculated from an individual's age, height, and weight. Presence of fat tissue is essential as natural energy reserve in our bodies. But excess fat tissues result in obesity and causes health disorders.

3. Although Obesity has no specific symptoms, it contributes to other major health problems. An adult who is obese has an increased risk of complications from other diseases. These may include- High blood pressure- Type 2 diabetes- Gallbladder disease- Some types of cancer- High cholesterol- Stroke- Osteoarthritis- Sleeping and breathing problems- Depression or other emotional problems- Difficulty walking or moving around- Heartburn- Rashes in the folds of the skin- Shortness of breath with exertion- Snoring or sleep apnea

6. There are two primary child obesity causes: poor diet and lack of physical activity.

7. Children who have not been taught how to make good nutritional choices will usually eat the same things their friends are eating, and most snacks in vending machines are loaded with sugar, fat and carbohydrates.What can we do to help students at an earlier age become healthy adults?

8. Provide Healthier School LunchesEat This! Not This!

9. Teach Food Guide Pyramid

10. The nutrients a child consumes should be enough to maintain good health, fuel growth and provide energy for physical activity.

11. A healthy lifestyle should begin at home.

12. Parents should set an example by eating healthy meals and snacks themselves. The number of overweight children has doubled in the last 30 years.Children also need daily exercise.At the very least your children should be required to play outside for at least 30 minutes to an hour a day.

14. Provide Healthier Vending Machines

15. Limited Fast FoodMeals should not always be eaten on the run. Fast meals tend to be made from processed foods that have a high fat and sodium content. For example, frozen prepared foods usually have breading or are frozen in gravies and sauces.

16. Healthy AttitudesAbove all, obese persons should make every effort to avoid negative emotions such as anxiety, fear, hostility, and insecurity, and develop a positive outlook on life.

17. How does the U.S. compare?

18. If we take the time to work with and teach our youth health.