Youth obesity Click Here! has more than doubled in 20 years among children between the ages of six to 11 (or from 6.5% in 1980 to 17.0% in year 2006)*. On the other hand, obesity in adolescents (12 – 19) increased from 5% to 17.6%.

So what is obesity?  Medical definition of obesity is defined as “… abnormal accumulation of body fat, usually 20% or more over an individual’s ideal body weight**.”

Unlike what most of you might think of obesity (eating unhealthy foods and not exercising) there is no one clear factor leading to obesity, but many complex combination of factors.

For instance, there’s a genetics factor (genetic predisposition), eating habits, physical activity, type of lifestyle, and psychological factor.  However, it’s important to have good nutrition and plenty of fitness activities.

I remember growing up playing with my friends and other neighborhood kids riding the bicycle, running, walking, playing softball, and etc until the street light went on.

We even walked to home after school – if you miss the bus or don’t want to ride the bus home, you had no choice but to walk — there was no “let’s call mom or dad.”

I am one of the guilty moms driving the children around here and there because I worry and think of the worst – there are more crazies out there today.

Yes, you are right — there were crazies out there when we were growing up, but between the media, internet, and parent awareness we see and hear about everything and anything.

Yes, my generation (my fellow parents) has become wusses.  We drive them everywhere, put child safety gear on everything, helmets and knee pads, anti-bacteria wipes and pumps, and etc – don’t worry I am guilty as well.

Don’t you remember playing on the asphalt play ground?  Remember the monkey bars (now they don’t even put it in the play ground)?  Don’t you remember flying out of the swing? — I actually caught my older child doing that and I freaked out!

Wow, how time changes?  We are raising a generation of wimps; however, I rather have a wimpy child than a hurt child.

*Health Youth!  Health topics: Childhood Obesity.  Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion — CDC.  http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/obesity/index.htm

** Obesity.  The Free Dictionary.  http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/obesity

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