Child obesity rates are soaring just as high as adult statistics; it is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. Many child obesity problems stem from non-preventable causes such as genetics and metabolism. However, other causes are preventable.

It is all too easy to gain weight in a world that convenience foods are most peoples answer to a good and proper meal, and where parents think that food should be used as a reward for children doing something good. The shame and blame that society shifts onto obese children makes breaking out of the cycle even more difficult for them.

There are many emotional consequences as well as physical ones when it comes to child obesity. At school she or he will become a target for school bullies, other children will pick on him, he may begin to feel isolated, depressed and loose interest in school altogether.

There are also some serious physical drawbacks to having an obese child, he will be vulnerable to chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, bowel cancer and high cholesterol. T

hose are only some of the more serious problems he will face; other more general problems will be day to day activities being hindered by his size, normal clothes not fitting, and general movement will be slow as all the extra weight causes pressure on organs and muscles.

More often than not though, once obesity is caught at a young age it can be avoided. When the child gets old enough to know the difference he must watch what he eats and take care of his health.

He should be encouraged to regularly exercise- not necessarily going to a gym or joining every the sports team at school- going outside to play some basketball, riding a bike, or going to the park for a walk are all good things he can be doing to avoid excess weight.

The parents need to take a look at their lifestyle as well; childhood obesity stems from the fact that the parents are not setting a good example and letting their children get grossly overweight.

The bottom line take-away we’d like you to get from all this is that most of the problems and anxiety can be prevented with a sensible eating plan and moderate exercise if caught early enough.