Weight Loss & Youth
Childhood obesity rates are on the rise. But there are ways of preventing
your child from becoming an overweight statistic.
Many parents have given the "Back in the Day" speech. You know, the one about walking miles and miles to school, uphill, both ways. Your children likely responded with a roll of the eyes and a "whatever". They may never adhere to that kind of old-fashioned exercise ethic, no matter how many times we repeat the speech. These days, it can be a challenge just to get your kids off of the computer or away from their video games.
Facts on childhood obesity
Convenience and complacency have replaced inspiration and initiative, and because of that, today's youth - sometimes referred to as the "Xbox generation" - are considered the most inactive generation in history. This idleness, coupled with poor dietary habits, has resulted in dramatic increases in childhood obesity rates over the past 25 years. Childhood obesity is a serious problem. The risks associated with it can be extremely detrimental to a child's growth and development and hamper their self-esteem. It's time to ditch the old stories and take a more proactive approach to bettering your child's health and wellness.
A growing epidemic
In Canada, the obesity rates in children have gone up six percent, which corresponds to half a million Canadian youth. Similarly, the overweight population, (those not yet classified as obese but significantly above normal weight), has jumped 15 per cent over the past 25 years. This astounding percentage corresponds to over 1.5 million Canadian youth who are struggling to lose weight.
As Canadians become more sedentary, this generation's children are in danger of becoming the first to die at a younger age than their parents. In a report published by the Canadian Institute for Health Information, four out of five Canadian youth are 40 percent less active than youth of 15 years ago. They don't even meet the international guidelines for optimal growth and development.
The common misconception about childhood obesity is that the child will outgrow it. However, more and more studies are showing that childhood obesity is directly linked to adult obesity, and, ultimately, obesity-related health concerns, many of which were not seen until adulthood and are now becoming more and more prevalent during childhood. Diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and sleep apnea have all been linked to obesity and are being diagnosed more frequently in children. Orthopedic complications are also becoming more pronounced in our youth. Growing bones and cartilage are not strong enough to bear excess weight. What's most concerning is the psychological effects of obesity on our children. More and more children develop a negative body image and poor self-esteem at a younger age, which often results in the development of eating disorders.
A natural response
Encourage your children to be more active and to develop healthy eating habits. Data indicates that children who are active are less likely to be obese than children who are less active. Vigorous exercise, even for 20 to 30 minutes a day, is a good start to developing a healthy regimen for your child. Limit screen time (TV, video games, computer, etc.) to a total of one hour per day. Get them outside to play with friends or ride their bikes. Enrolling them in sports is a good way to get them moving and will help build their social skills.
The importance of balanced meals is essential for the development of all bodily organs and systems. Everything from nerve impulses, to muscle movement, to kidney function depends on the intake of balanced meals. If your child is eating large quantities of fast food, which is high in fat and calories and low in nutrients, and not eating the appropriate amounts of fruits and vegetables, they'll likely have to deal with weight problems at some point in their life. Data shows that children who eat fruits and vegetables five or more times a day are substantially less likely to be overweight or obese.
Your child should have at least two to three medium-sized whole fruits or two to three cups of chopped fruit per day. This fruit can be added to cereal or oatmeal, blended with fruit juice or yogurt, or eaten as snacks. Fruit will give your child energy, help them feel good, and aid in weight loss.
Three to five servings of vegetables per day are also essential. One serving equals a half a cup of cooked vegetables or one cup of raw vegetables. A good-sized salad with various vegetables in it will cover about two servings. Yogurt dip with chopped vegetables is a nutritious snack; stir-fried vegetables and brown rice make for a healthy meal.
Always choose whole grain and whole wheat breads, pasta, and rice. They are healthier, have more flavour, and provide added fibre and nutrients. Your child should stick to lean meats like chicken and turkey, and lean cuts of beef. Free range or organic meats are best. Your child should have protein at least two to three times per day, including nuts, seeds and beans, to boost weight loss.
The Youth Program
Long-term weight loss is very difficult to achieve. Repeated weight loss followed by weight gain, or "yo-yo" weight loss patterns are very common and can lead to long-term complications, as well as being extremely frustrating and stressful. Herbal Magic offers a full line of personalized weight loss programs catered to meet individual needs, and designed to break the yo-yo cycle for healthy, long-term weight loss.
Herbal Magic is extremely proud to offer the QLP Youth program, the first program of its kind developed by our Scientific Advisory Team to treat obesity in youth aged 12 to 17. This program plays a crucial role in the development of lifelong nutritious eating and a healthy lifestyle. Youth on the Herbal Magic program lose the weight and keep it off. Maintaining a healthy weight ultimately reduces the risk of obesity-related health concerns. The program also provides the appropriate nutritional allotments of vitamins and minerals, essential for healthy development, as well as the essential fatty acids that have been proven to aid in optimal brain function.
Our QLP Youth program will teach your child how to eat properly, make better food choices, and gain control over their eating habits. In addition, we provide them with safe, natural health products that ensure they'll succeed in their weight loss efforts, along with fitness requirements for the program. On the QLP Youth program, they can expect to lose weight, feel better, be happier, improve their school performance, boost their self-esteem, and significantly decrease their risk of disease.
Our children can be stronger, healthier and lose weight. They'll be happier and more self-assured today, and healthier in the long run.
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