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Childhood obesity: a "peekaboo" into reality.


Alarming statistics show that childhood obesity childhood obesity Public health Overweight in a child, an average BMI of ≥ 85% for age and sex; ≥ 95% for age and sex is very obese. See Body-mass index, Obesity. Cf Adult obesity.  contributes to diabetes, hyperglycemia hyperglycemia: see diabetes. , and high blood pressure. The popular notion that overweight children will "outgrow outgrow verb To change the relationship with a condition or structure by dint of ↑ age or size; while children outgrow clothing, and certain behaviors, they rarely outgrow diseases–eg, asthma " their condition is not realistic. Childhood obesity is one of the most prevalent nutrition problems among children, exceeding iron deficiency anemia Iron Deficiency Anemia Definition

Anemia can be caused by iron deficiency, folate deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, and other causes. The term iron deficiency anemia means anemia that is due to iron deficiency.
, the previous leader. Twenty-five percent of American children are now obese o·bese
adj.
Extremely fat; very overweight.



obese

characterized by obesity.

obese adjective Characterized by obesity, see there; excessively fat
; this is not a game to play with a child's health.

Poor food choices are often to blame for obesity. Flirting with excessive snacking, frequent romps to fastfood restaurants, and repetitive "just-this-once" high-fat food choices all contribute to childhood obesity. Quick-grab snacks among kids include chips, cookies, soda, candy, hot dogs, hamburgers, and French fries French fry
n.
A thin strip of potato fried in deep fat. Often used in the plural.
. A recent survey of grade-school children showed that only about 25 percent had eaten five servings of fruits and vegetables during any given day.

What defines obesity, One indicator is called the Healthy Weight Range for Teenagers, with body mass index ranges for boys and girls boys and girls

mercurialisannua.
. To figure your own body mass index, multiply your weight in pounds times 705, and divide that number by your height in inches squared. Anyone with a body mass index over 30 is considered obese.

Modifying food choices and applying dietary guidelines dietary guidelines Cardiology A series of dietary recommendations from the Nutrition Committee of the Am Heart Assn, that promote cardiovascular health. See Caloric restriction, food pyramid, French paradox.  can improve weight control. Dietary guidelines recommend less than 30 percent of calories come from fat. Each gram of fat you consume has 9 calories, so if you're consuming a 2,000-calorie-per-day diet, you should consume less than 65 grams of fat. Food labels are useful in keeping track of your fat consumption.

The Vegetarian Food Pyramid food pyramid or Food Guide Pyramid, diagram used in nutrition education that fits food groups into a triangle and notes that, for a healthful diet, those at the base should be eaten more frequently than those at the top.  is another helpful aid in modifying a high-fat diet high-fat diet A diet rich in fats, often saturated–animal or tropical oils—fats Adverse effects Arthritis, CA, vascular disease, DM, HTN, obesity, stroke. See Fat, Fatty acids, Saturated fat acis, Cf Low-fat diet. . The pyramid encourages appropriate-sized servings of fruits and vegetables that are naturally low in fat, and nonfat non·fat
adj.
Lacking fat solids or having the fat content removed.
 dairy choices for those over the age of 2. These simple modifications can help children decrease their chances of developing diabetes, heart disease, and other life-threatening problems now and in later years.

How can a child be encouraged to make healthier food choices? Make mealtime a pleasant, happy experience. Prepare food to be appealing and attractive using healthful health·ful
adj.
1. Conducive to good health; salutary.

2. Healthy.



healthful·ness n.
 methods. Parents play an active role in modifying their children's diet. Purchase nutritious food, choosing a variety of colors not of the white race; - commonly meaning, esp. in the United States, of negro blood, pure or mixed.

See also: Color
, shapes, sizes, and aromas to encourage a child to experiment. Sometimes it takes 15 or 20 exposures to a food before a child will accept it. Engage children in assisting mom or dad in the preparation process to increase familiarity with a new food.

It's time It's Time was a successful political campaign run by the Australian Labor Party (ALP) under Gough Whitlam at the 1972 election in Australia. Campaigning on the perceived need for change after 23 years of conservative (Liberal Party of Australia) government, Labor put forward a  to focus on the widespread problem of childhood obesity. Helping children make healthful lifelong eating choices will result in long, vigorous, productive lives. Perhaps these child-friendly recipes will help. When you make the effort to increase the variety of foods your child will eat, and serve them in age-appropriate serving sizes, your child will avoid obesity now and in the future.
VEGE-KEBAB

8 cherry tomatoes
1/8 cup pineapple chunks
1/8 cup cucumber chunks
1/8 cup baby carrots
3 T. low-fat ranch dressing
4 wooden skewers

Dress each skewer, alternating
With different vegetables.
Dip or spread dressing
On each kebab. Serves: 4.
Calories per serving: 33; protein:
0.33 gram/ carbohydrate:
4 grams; fat: 2 grams;
cholesterol: 0

ROUND MUFFIN PIZZA

1 whole-wheat English muffin
4 T. tomato sauce
3 tomato slices
2 T. diced canned pineapple
2 T. diced bell pepper
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Cut muffin in half. Spread halves with tomato
sauce, and top with a tomato slice, and half the
pineapple and bell pepper on each English muffin
half, Sprinkle each with half the cheese. Place in a
toaster oven to melt cheese. Serves: 2. Calories per
serving: 126; protein: 7 grams; carbohydrate: 20
grams; fat: 2 grams; cholesterol: 16 milligrams.

PEEKABOO PITA

1 whole-wheat pita bread
1/2 cup shredded romaine lettuce
1/2 cup chopped tomato
1/2 cup chopped avocado
1/2 cup canned black beans

Cut pita bread in half. Stuff each half with
lettuce, tomato, avocado, and beans. Serves: 2.
Calories per serving: 200; proten: 8 grams; carbohydrate:
30 grams; fat: 7 grams, cholesterol: 7
milligrams.

PEACHY RAISIN BREAD
1/2 cup canned peaches
2 slices raisin bread
2 T. maple syrup
1/4 t. powered sugar
2 t. margarine

Lightly toast raisin bread; place on
plate. Spread with margarine. Add
peaches; drizzle with syrup.
Microwave on high for 25 seconds.
Dust with powered sugar. Serves 2.
Calories per serving: 186; protein: 3
grams; carbohydrate: 32 grams; fat: 5
grams; cholesterol: 0.14 milligrams.

FRUIT IN A BOWL

1/2 cantaloupe with skin
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup green grapes
1/2 cup red grapes

Wash uncut cantaloupe in hot
water. Cut in half; remove seeds.
Using a melon ball tool, form balls
from the cantaloupe flesh. Place in
bowl, and add yogurt and grapes
(note: cut grapes in half for small children).
Serves: 2. Calories per serving:
204; protein: 5 grams; carbohydrate:
48 grams; fat: 1.3 grams; cholesterol:
4 grams.

BERRY GOOD SMOOTHIE

10 strawberries, frozen
1/2 cup strawberry yogurt
1/2 cup soy milk
1/2 banana
2 T. sugar
2 T. Cool Whip

Add to a blender strawberries,
yogurt, soymilk, banana, and sugar.
Blend on medium speed until ingredients
are desired consistency. Pour into
an 8-ounce glass. Top with Cool
Whip. Serves: 1. Calories: 220; protein:
5 grams; carbohydrate: 44 grams;
fat: 3 grams; cholesterol: 4 milligrams.

PASTA WHEEL SOUP

1 cup cooked pasta wheels
2 cups vegetable broth
1/2 cup frozen mixed vegetables
1/4 t. basil

Cook pasta according to package
directions. In a medium saucepan, heat
broth. Add frozen vegetables and basil.
Cover and simmer 20 minutes on
medium heat. Uncover and stir in
cooked pasta. Serve at once. Serves: 2.
Calories per serving: 125; protein: 6
grams; carbohydrate: 50 grams; fat: 1.5
grams; cholesterol: 0.

BREAKFAST BURRITO
WRAP

1 egg
2 whole-wheat tortillas
1/4 cup grated soft cheddar cheese
1/4 cup chopped tomatoes

Prepare scrambled egg. Warm tortillas
in skillet. Add half the amount of
cheese, tomato, and egg in the center
of each tortilla. Fold sides and roll.
Serves: 2. Calories per serving: 80; protein:
5 grams; carbohydrate: 7 grams;
fat: 4 grams; cholesterol: 60 milligrams.

BLUEBERRY CREAM SPREAD

1 whole-wheat bagel
2 T. low-fat cream cheese
1/4 cup fresh blueberries

Cut bagel in half. Spread cream
cheese; add blueberries to each half.
Serves: 2. Calories per serving: 65; protein:
3 grams; carbohydrate: 14 grams;
fat: 2 grams; cholesterol: 4 milligrams.

FRUITY NUTTY MIX

1/4 cup unsalted mini pretzels
1/4 cup honey-roasted peanuts
1/4 cup almonds
2 T. golden raisins
2 T. dark raisins
2 T. dried cranberries

In a small bowl, add pretzels, nuts,
and dried fruit; mix. Store in a plastic
bowl or freezer bag until serving time.
Serves: 3. Calories per serving: 185;
protein: 6 grams; carbohydrates: 22
grams; fat: 9 grams; cholesterol: 0.

FRUIT ON A STICK

1/4 cup pineapple chunks
1/4 cup blackberries
1/2 cup chopped apple
1/2 cup peeled orange sections
1/2 cup grapes
4 wooden skewers

Wash fresh fruits thoroughly. Dress
each skewer, alternating with different
fruits. Serves: 4. Calories per serving:
10; protein: 0.1 gram; carbohydrate: 2
grams; fat: 0.04 gram; cholesterol: 0.

CHEESEY QUESADILLA

1 6-inch whole-wheat tortilla
2 T. shredded mozzarella cheese
2 T. shredded soft cheddar cheese
1/4 cup chopped tomato
1/4 cup fresh spinach leaves

Place tortilla in a medium saucepan
on low heat. Add to the center of tortilla
both cheeses, tomato, and spinach
leaves. Fold tortilla in half, and press
firmly with spatula. Keep on low heat,
and brown both sides until cheese has
melted. Cut quesadilla in half. Serves:
2. Calories per serving: 80; protein: 5
grams; carbohydrate: 7 grams; fat: 4
grams; cholesterol: 12 milligrams.


Natasha Williams Natasha Williams is an actress based in Britain.

She is known for playing the role of PC Delia French in the long running ITV drama The Bill. She also played the role of a pharmacist in "Gridlock", an episode of Doctor Who that was broadcast on 14 April 2007.
 joined the studies at the Loma Linda University Founded in 1905, Loma Linda University (LLU) is a private, Christian, coeducational, health sciences university located in Southern California 60 miles east of Los Angeles close to San Bernardino and near beaches, mountains, and the desert.  School of Allied Health Professions after working at Loma Linda University Medical Center Loma Linda University Medical Center (LLUMC) is a teaching hospital of Loma Linda University School of Medicine in Loma Linda, California, United States. LLUMC is home to the Venom E.R, which specializes in snake bites.  for a number of years as a dietetic dietetic /di·e·tet·ic/ (di?ah-tet´ik) pertaining to diet or proper food.

di·e·tet·ic
adj.
1. Of or relating to diet.

2.
 technician. Georgia E. Hodgkin is one of her professors at Loma Linda University. Williams is completing her education as a registered dietitian registered dietitian,
n See dietitian, registered.
.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Review and Herald Publishing Association
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2003, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Author:Hodgkin, Georgia E.
Publication:Vibrant Life
Geographic Code:1USA
Date:Sep 1, 2003
Words:1350
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