Childhood Obesity Prevention Grants: Childhood Obesity - An ...

I was eating lunch at my favorite restaurant and noticed a flyer on the wall discussing how to combat the problem of obesity in this country. The flyer was supposed to help motivate readers to find out how to change their diets for the better. The reality is most people are stuck in a place of comfort and change is very difficult. The real concern for our society is how obesity is effecting our youth. Children get less time to play outside with their classmates, have more games each year that motivate them to get on the computer and seem to be more driven by the latest technology. It is amazing to see the growing cases of diabetes among our youth. According to statistics from the American Diabetes Association, 1 in 400 children have a diagnosis of diabetes, which adds to a host of complications their young bodies have to deal with if the disease is not managed properly. Many more go undiagnosed, which is even more frightening. The question is how did we get this way and what will we do to change it? It is really important to pay attention to diet and exercise to help combat and prevent this disease. Simple sugars are high on the typical American diet and cause sugar spikes in our bloodstream. I can honestly say I remember eating two doughnuts, a cup of orange juice and feeling the shakes. Those rev ups followed by a sluggish crash was what people used to call a sugar rush. Trust me when I say I don't do that anymore.

I am so glad so many larger cities have community centers and youth programs. Most of my friends have youngsters very involved with softball, football, basketball, Irish dancing and other neat activities but is it enough? I would dare say no and why, you ask? Simply if the youngster is eating poorly, even if they are getting one to two days of exercise, it will not satisfy the body's need to burn off the junk and does not even begin to answer the issue of poor "body fuel". We truly are what we eat and our body cannot do much with a burger and fries dinner... ever notice how hungry you get an hour later? There is a reason. I had someone once tell me if it is mushy in your mouth, it is dead. They body needs enzymes and other live food items for fuel. The next time you pull up to the gas station to get gas, think about your body and give it a little high octane.

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