Counseling Therapy Child Obesity Weight Scottsdale, Phoenix Arizona
Tuesday, June 24th, 2014Children and teenagers are becoming more over
weight and obese over the past two decades. There are a number of reasons why American youth are becoming so un healthy. Access to electronics 24-7 like: smartphones, texting, Facebook, twitter, video games, you tube, the internet, TV, are keeping children inactive.
Children and teens are eating too much processed foods, sugars, carbohydrates that turn to sugar as well. Eating out and going out to eat often is unhealthy for youth and families.
Diabetes and children that are overweight is sky rocketing in the USA.
Parents can take an active roll by purchasing healthy foods at the home.
There is no way to shelter children from sugar or unhealthy foods however limiting it and setting healthy boundaries is key to your child eating a nutritional diet and avoiding severe health problems later on in life .
The rise in the number of people with weight issues and obesity has ignited and epidemic with type 2 diabetes.
Sugary drinks are connected with obesity and with an increased risk of developing diabetes . There are many other things that are connected with weight gain and obesity .
Some areas that impact obesity and weight gain are unresolved : trauma , stress, unhealthy habits , poor sleep, limited exercise , addictive behaviors , sitting around all day playing video games , sitting watching tv for long periods of time , sitting for long periods of time on the Internet ( I pad) ( smart phone ) etc.
The average child between the ages of 8 years old and 18 spend more than 8 hours a day on electronics . This is like a full time job being it is approx 40 hours a week on technology . Typically this means each child or teenager is not exercising or doing much physically which is vital for physical , mental , and emotional health .
Heavy media consumption in children and teens was associated with ; health issues , weight gain , diabetes , behavior problems , low grades and much more .
There is a relationship between heavy media use and children feeling : sad or bored, getting in trouble , not getting along with parents .
Children connected to media in heavy doses are losing out on social interactions and interpersonal skills . Children are not signing up for after school activities : sports , clubs , church groups , dance , exercise , and other extracurricular activities .
Girls and boys that are spending heavy amounts of time on media and electronics describe themselves as less happy and less comfortable in social situations .
Research suggests that youth need to experience the whole range of communication skills which includes face to face interactions to build self esteem and feel good about their social skills .
Parents can make a difference setting rules and limits with all electronic devices.