Obesity and Bullying

A new study has just confirmed that children who are obese are a higher target for bullies. Obesity and bullying are two different issues that need awareness because these both create an alarming number of different problems. In fact, according to JoAnn Stevelos, 24% of boys and 30% of girls said that they were teased because of their size.

The following are problems linked to obesity and bullying:

• depression
• self-esteem problems
• may cause children to miss school or leave school all together

Checkout these articles for more information

http://www.obesityaction.org/magazine/ywm22/bullying.php

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/05/03/obesity.bullying/index.html

http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/05/03/us-obese-s-idUSTRE6421XQ20100503
HealthyChildren.org - Teasing and Bullying

*Bullying in itself is also a problem that needs more awareness checkout this website and pledge to stop bullying :)

http://www.standtogether.tv/

Talk to you all soon!

Small Changes Make A Difference

Small changes can lead up to long term change. Childhood Obesity may sound overwhelming because the components of the problem can lead to other problems and you just don't know where to begin. Not to worry, a simple change in your meals can be the key to get started or setting a goal for you and your family is a start!

Here are some other small changes that can lead to big time results: 

• Make a goal for you and your family
• Include some type of fruit or vegetable in every meal
• Watch less television
• Drink water with every meal
• Talk about the importance of 'healthy living' with your friends and family

Using What We Know

Now that we have an idea of where childhood obesity begins and how it is a continuous problem let's make a difference and join others within our community to make a difference. How can we join such a big movement like Michelle Obama's "Lets Move?"

Let's Move meets up everywhere! When you go to http://www.letsmove.gov/ click on the "Join Us" link from there it will take you to a list of more than 300 cities in our nation! Pick your closest location. If your location has yet to get involved make one! Remember it begins with us.

Here is another website for more information on childhood obesity

http://healthykidshealthyfuture.org/welcome.html

Michelle Obama's words cannot explain it any better. "It is about knowledge and implementation."

Who's Making A Difference?

Childhood obesity is growing by the minute. If it is not a personal struggle, we know someone who suffers from obesity and we need to do something about it therefore. It is a problem that can get resolved, but in order to do so we must do something. There are so many different communities that are doing something about obesity and they are all amazing. There were some that stood out to me because they have created a huge impact on our nation. Those include the "Let's Move" campaign by Michelle Obama and Kaiser Permanente and it's involvement with childhood obesity and obesity in general.

Childhood Obesity begins with families where change needs to be made! Helping each other to improve our health choices and our physical activity is up to us. The "Lets Move" and Kaiser Permanente efforts on raising awareness have helped so many families make those changes. Both offer tips for families, friends and school staff on how to work on making a difference together.

Visit http://www.letsmove.gov/ for more information on childhood obesity.

Here is the beginning of "Let's Move."

Kaiser Permanente raising awareness on childhood obesity also visit https://members.kaiserpermanente.org/redirects/childhoodobesity/ for more information.

Sitting Too Much?

Hello everyone, today I will be talking to you all about sitting. Yes, sitting! Did you all know that sitting for a long time can have a major effect on our health? According to an article on Health, Stand Up for Your Health by Arianne Cohen sitting can attract an array of health issues. Microbilologist at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center says, "Sitting is a health hazard on the order of smoking." I don't know about you all, but that is scary. Smoking is the leading cause of death in the United States and for sitting to be compared to it is truly alarming.

What can sitting for long periods of time cause?

• Back problems- most of your weight while sitting is pressuring your spine and pelvis!
• Shortens life- one is prone to cardiovascular disease!
• Obesity- when one sits for extended periods of time the body needs shifting every 30-90 seconds or the fat building up stay in the arteries! 

Here is an interesting video that I found online while doing some research:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3gNe7omD18

TIPS ON HOW TO SIT LESS:

1. Walking after eating
2. Leave your seat at home constantly
3. Instead of socializing online, go out for a walk with friends
4. Have multiple study areas do you can move around
5. Talk on speakerphone

Source:
Cohen, Arianne. "Stand Up for Your Health." Health Nov. 2011: 75-79. Print.

In order to prevent such we must move! Physical Movement is key to feel good! Let's try to sit less people!

America and Childhood Obesity

Obesity is an ongoing problem in America. According to the CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, childhood obesity is the result of eating too many calories and lack of physical activity.

Americans, we are ac country that works fast paced we want everything fast even our food. It has become a social norm within Americans to eat fast food at least 3 times a day within families.

We are now in 2011 a much different time than when other generations were growing up. Children now are the "technology generation" which means a lot of children are now socializing online with friends vs playing a game of basketball outdoors. iPods, mp3 players, laptops, iPads, and video games are now what we see children focusing their attention to. Most of these past time activities require children to sit and movement in only focused on the tip of their fingers. The CDC reveals that, children 8-18 years old spend on average 7.5 hours a day using entertainment media. On top of that children within this age range are in grade school which spend most of their day sitting in the classroom. This all takes away from physical activity.

It has become a challenge for children and their parents to make healthier choices because of their surroundings. According to the CDC, here is a list of reasons why it has become a difficult task for so many families in America.

• Healthy choices at children's schools are offered and advertised to children and parents, but the unhealthy choices are still available to children. It all comes down to deciding on what to buy, for example, water or a sugary drink. 
• Limit on healthy affordable choices
• Increasing in portion sizes
• Television and Media

For more information about childhood obesity visit their amazing site: http://www.cdc.giv/obesity/childhood/problem.html

Introducing the Issue

My name is Adriana. I am interested in obesity and overweight people in America. Obesity is an increasing problem in the United States. Obesity is more than just being overweight  it is a health care issue that can potentially attract other illnesses and diseases. Those include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

This blog is about being health conscious and thinking different. I look forward to talking to some of you who believe this is an issue that needs to be transformed.

Talk to you all soon!

Adriana