Obesity in childhood is a serious condition which can undermine the well being of kids in many ways. Mayo Clinic notes that childhood obesity is particularly troubling because the extra pounds often begin children on the path to health problems which were once confined to adults, including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Childhood obesity can also also lead to poor self-esteem and depression. Science Daily reported on
August 12, 2013, School Lunch and TV Time Linked With Childhood Obesity.
According to a new study by the University of Michigan Frankel Cardiovascular Center, dealing with the dramatic increase in childhood obesity, among middle-school children, the behaviors which are most often linked with obesity are school lunch consumption and two hours or more of watching TV daily.
Cardiologist and senior study author Elizabeth Jackson, M.D., M.P.H. has said, “Additional work is needed to help us understand the beneficial impact of improving school lunches and decreasing screen time.”
The obese boys and girls were found to have poor cardiovascular profiles with lower HDL- cholesterol, higher triglycerides, higher blood pressure and higher heart rate recovery, therefore indicating a lower level of fitness, in comparison to normal weight kids.
Jackson says, “Cardiovascular disease doesn’t just start in adulthood, and there may be factors that could help us identify during youth or adolescence who might be at increased risk for developing health problems later on.”
Other studies have found a link between eating school lunch with obesity, however, a major issue with such studies is the influence of socioeconomic status. Poor children who are eligible for free or reduced school lunch may already be overweight.
Jackson said that previous research suggests school lunches often include nutrient-poor and calorie-rich foods. The study also found that 61 percent of obese boys and 63 percent of obese girls reported watching television for two or more hours daily.
The Project Healthy Schools program has been designed to teach sixth graders heart-healthy lifestyles which include eating more fruits and vegetables, making wiser beverage choices, engaging in at least 150 minutes of exercise per week, eating less fast food and less fatty foods, and reducing time spent in front of computer and video game screens.
Credit : Dr. Mohamed Rela (Liver Transplant Specialist- 33 Years of Experience)
