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The Effects Of Obesity On Children And Adults

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The causes of obesity in children, and adults for that matter, is relatively straight forward children are taking in more calories than they are burning throughout the day, but this is something that can be resolved. Eating an appropriate amount of healthy foods and exercising daily seems like a simple solution, but as a society we have become obsessed with eating sugary, fatty, and calorie latent foods. As if the extra calories were not enough of a problem, we have also decreased the amount of physical activities we get each day. The increase in the obesity rate in children is a direct consequence of these unhealthy habits, children are being allowed to eat unhealthy food in large quantities and are remaining sedentary for the majority of …show more content…

Women of child-bearing age need to know that their health may dramatically impact the health of their future, “…consideration must be focused on prevention of obesity in women of child-bearing age, excessive weight gain during pregnancy, and the role of breast-feeding in reducing later obesity in children and adults” (1). Most women are well aware of the negative affects drugs and alcohol may have on their developing fetus, but not as many women are conscious of the affects their BMI may have on their child. Along with the myriad of health problems associated with maternal obesity while pregnant, strong evidence also shows a connection between maternal obesity and childhood obesity. Thus, in order to decrease childhood obesity we must educate women prior to becoming pregnant and once they conceive on how to be in their possible health in order to give their future children the best start in life possible. One study states, “There is an independent effect of maternal pregravid weight and diabetes not only on birthweight but also on the adolescent risk of obesity” (2). If women hoping to get pregnant were aware of the implications of an obese pregnancy they may be motivated to alter their lifestyles prior to getting pregnant to ensure they are in the best health for their child. Making sacrifices for your children is a lifelong commitment and it should start as soon as possible, for some women hopefully that will

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