Childhood obesity is becoming more and more of a problem in the United States and around the world. Kids all over are gaining weight and becoming unhealthy, which starts a vicious cycle of health problems early in life. Keeping kids active is the best way to keep kids healthy. A kid who has an active lifestyle growing up is more likely to stay active when compared to those children who grow up with a sedentary lifestyle.

According studies, nearly 20% of children are overweight these days. Obviously, that number various by race and country, however there is no doubt a trend that children are not as fit as they used to be a few decades ago. It’s truly becoming an epidemic.

The first step in battling childhood obesity is to understand why it is dangerous. A lot of people see a kid who is carrying extra weight as just a phase that the kid will grow out of over time. Oftentimes, the extra weight isn’t even viewed as a medical concern. But the more we understand childhood obesity and the long-term risk factors involved, the more people are starting to fight childhood obesity.

The origins of childhood obesity can start at any age. Typically, if a child is above the 90th percentile for their age and gender when it comes to body mass index, that child is considered obese. Body mass index, known as BMI, is a measure that uses a calculation based on height and weight to determine how much extra weight a person is carrying.

If your child has a BMI in the 90th percentile or higher, your child is considered to suffer from childhood obesity. To battle the problem, start by understanding why you should fight it. Childhood obesity can cause children to become ill. Type 2 diabetes is an disease that can occur in children who are obese. And while high blood pressure and high cholesterol counts are typically worrisome only for adults, children who suffer from childhood obesity sometimes can develop these problems.

Another ailment that can trouble kids with childhood obesity is sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is an ailment that can cause a person to get a lack of oxygen while they sleep. Sleep apnea has been deadly in both adults and in children, the lack of oxygen can do damage to the developing brain. Sleep apnea in children has been linked to learning disorders and trouble with short-term and long-term memory.

Perhaps the worst part of childhood obesity is the fact that over half of those children who are obese will remain obese into adulthood. Obese adults have a shorter life expectancy than fit adults and they are more susceptible to many ailments and diseases. If you don’t help your child battle his or her obesity problem early in life, it is a problem that could haunt your child for the rest of their life. The gift of keeping your kids active and healthy is a gift that keeps on giving.

While it’s possible for genetics to play a role in childhood obesity, it isn’t the major cause. The first major cause is inactivity. Children these days are more inactive than ever. With television, video games and computers, children don’t need to venture out of their house to have fun. Most children can have all the fun they can handle without leaving their chair. For fun, kids used to interact with other kids by playing an outside sport. Now kids can have interact with others by playing multi-player video games. It’s not even really the fault of kids – it’s just a sign of the times.

The other major cause of childhood obesity is eating too much and eating poorly. Food portions have grown over the years. What would have passed as a hearty meal back in 1950 would look like a light snack today. And it’s not only food. Drink sizes continually get bigger and bigger. As the years go on, there’s no evidence that we should expect portion sizes to get smaller in size.

But even more damaging is what children are eating these days. Childhood nutrition is very important. Fast food, snacks and even more breakfast cereals are packed with wasteful calories. A big culprit is the added sugar and corn syrup that has found its way into almost every type of food. Children today consume almost five times as much sugar as they did in 1950. However, it’s not only sugar. Carbohydrates and fats are high in a lot of modern day food options such as fast food and microwavable food. All told, almost every child who suffers from childhood obesity consumes more than the recommended daily amount of calories for their age, height and gender.

While inactivity and poor diet are easily the two biggest reasons why more and more children suffer from childhood obesity, those aren’t the only reasons. Today, children have more pressure on them than ever. That pressure can lead kids to lean on food as a source of comfort when dealing with pressure.

Not only can childhood obesity lead to physical health problems, there are other problems children may face who are overweight. Low-self esteem is common for kids who suffer from childhood obesity. It’s common for overweight children to be picked on and bullied by other kids at school. This can lead to low-self esteem and even depression. Depression, just like the physical health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure, can last well into adulthood.

How can you make sure that your child won’t suffer from childhood obesity? While nothing in life is ever guaranteed, you can greatly help the chances of your child’s chances of becoming obese by taking a few steps as a parent. First of all, you should make sure that your child remains active.

Find an exercise that your child enjoys, such as a particular sport or an activity like riding a bike. If neccesary, you should join your child in their chosen activity. Between ten to fifteen hours a week of physical activity is preferred to help keep your child fit.

Also, as a parent, it’s your responsibility to give your child quality options when it comes to food. Cook healthy meals and have convenient, healthy snacks readily available at home. Avoid food that is high in empty calories. For example, you can replace the donuts and cookies in your house with healthy snacks such as fruits, raw vegetables and nuts. Also remember to keep portion sizes in control.

If you have a child who is already suffering from childhood obesity, while it’s a dangerous condition, it’s definitely treatable. Even though it might be difficult, you have to force your child to become more active and to eat better.

For exercise, an easy way to begin is to just walk around your neighborhood with your child. That can eventually lead to other types of activities. As far as food is concerned, you have to help your child break their bad habits. If you must, track the calories your child eats on a daily basis and make sure it’s within the recommended guidelines. As always, you should consult your doctor if your child is showing any negative signs or ailments that may be associated with their weight.

Overall, a child who is active, eats right and has supportive parents who are aware of the importance of avoiding childhood obesity has the best chance to remain healthy as a child and grow into a healthy adult.