Lack of Exercise Main Cause of Childhood Obesity
As promised in our last blog post, Trailsnet will be focusing on the issue of childhood obesity. In particular, today’s post will examine the causes of childhood obesity. The overall conclusions may not be surprising, but some of the details will surely interest our readers. The main reasons for childhood obesity are well known but worthwhile for further review:
- Insufficient Exercise – It is well documented that children do not get as much exercise as they used to or as they need. The reasons for this pattern include over dependence on motorized transportation, safety issues, and home factors such as television and video games. The Trailsnet Trails to Fitness program will help to change this leading cause of childhood obesity by promoting more trail use by children and more trail sharing between children.
- Poor Diet – According to Childrens.org, a leading contributor to a higher caloric intake among children is excessive snacking. Often times children snack because they are bored or because of frequent exposure to unhealthy food and unhealthy food advertising. By getting children out on the trails and away from the television, they will be less likely to snack or be convinced that unhealthy food should be a part of their daily life.
- Genetic Factors – Genetic factors are rarely the cause of childhood obesity. In rare instances, some genetic disorders may lead to excessive weight gain, these are the exception rather than the rule. It is much more common for childhood obesity to stem from a lack of exercise and/or poor nutritional patterns.
- Environmental Factors – It is possible that a portion of the blame for childhood obesity could occur outside the influence of a child’s home. Lack of exercise and poor diet may also be reinforced in daycares, schools, community gathering areas and even the homes of friends & relatives. Once again, though, it is possible to channel our children towards more healthy gathering areas such as trails and other active pursuits.
The causes for childhood obesity are relatively limited and fairly specific. By focusing on promoting healthy activities while limiting unhealthy behaviors, we can end childhood obesity as we know it. Stay tuned as Trailsnet shares information about:
Biking is for families… & everyone else.
- Where is childhood obesity most prevelant?
- Why is childhood obesity such a big problem?
- What is being done to battle childhood obesity?
- How can Trailsnet help to end childhood obesity?
- What specific role will Trailsnet play in the war against childhood obesity?
- Who will be recruited in Trailsnet’s Trails to Fitness program?
2 comments
Great post Kevin and I will share. The more who see this the more publicity it will get.
Author
Thanks Barry.
What was once a U.S. epidemic is threatening to go worldwide, according to what I’ve been reading. We’ve got to get those kids out on the trails.