We’re all trying. In some way, shape or profile, we’re all doing what we can to stay healthy. But, let’s face it, it’s not always easy. whether you were to break down how much it costs to eat healthy versus eating a bunch of junk, you’ll find that it’s much more inexpensive to eat the unhealthier stuff. Therein lies reason number one: It has become cost prohibitive to eat healthy. Reason number two deals with duration. Our workdays are longer than they have ever been, and the average commute to work is around forty-five minutes. So, by the duration you’re finally getting home — after working ten hours or so — you simply do not have moment to exercise. And the list of reasons for the worldwide weight gain for adults goes on and on and on…

What about kids? Their school day is the same length as yours or mine was. The commute is basically the same bus route. So why is it that research demonstrates a meaningful rise in childhood obesity, particularly among girls?

Before I attempt to reply, allow me to first point out just how much of a rise I’m talking about.

Swedish researchers found that in 2002, the average ten-year-old girl was 2.1 percent taller and 13.4 percent heavier than her 1982 counterpart, with a 13.3 percent increase in BMI. Boys were found to be about 1.1 percent taller and 7.6 percent heavier, with a 5.1 percent increase in BMI. What the hell is going on?!! Personally, I think it has to do with two things: 1) What these kids are eating, and 2) The lack of emphasis on physical activity. With respect to the former, you know as well as I do that those damn Lunchables aren’t healthy. You know what I’m talking about; the fake pizza thing you produce on a cracker. And it certainly doesn’t end there. The cookies, the soda, the potato chips, the Doritos, the sweet — it’s all to blame.

Continue reading Childhood obesity is a growing problem

Original post by Chris Sparling