IS YOUR CHILD FAT?

Here’s a question a growing segment of our PARENTAL population is going to have to begin asking themselves. The need to face REALITY is NOT based on aesthetics but rather the diseases and traumatic life altering compromises our children face if we continue to avoid this topic. The argument, “we should love our children for who they, not what they look like” does not justify the lack of parental responsibility and outright denial of the situation. I agree that a child’s character (NOT APPEARANCE) reveals the “beauty” within. This beautiful child, however, has the right to the opportunity to grow and develop into a HEALTHY, WELL FUNCTIONING ADULT.

In the past when I have lectured on this topic, I have suggested  to parents they consider CLOSING THEIR EYES to better SEE and judge whether their children have weight problems. This statement has typically elicited both ANGER and CONFUSION.

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How could they “SEE” BETTER with their eyes closed?

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My answer to this question evoked even greater ANGER, (at first.) I said, “with your EYES OPEN, approximately 24% of your kindergartners, 39% of your elementary school children and 32% of your junior high school children have weight problems increasing their risks for lifelong diseases, dysfunction and premature DEATH.” “Closing your eyes and focusing instead on a mathematical formula determining BMI (body mass index) removes visual bias while OBJECTIVELY and HONESTLY measuring your child’s weight status and risk for developing UNNECESSARY DISEASES.”

{REFERENCE: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data (2005-2010)}

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Parents are NEVER excited to face this TRUTH.

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The only thing standing between a crowd demanding my immediate “execution” and the act being carried out was my ability to communicate my lifelong compassion and  commitment to the welfare of children. I further explained the BLAME did not sit alone with them. Unhealthy school food programs (designed by the American Dietician Association), the lack of proper nutritional education in the classroom curriculum, the lack of mandatory physical education classes, the advertising and marketing of unhealthy food selections aimed directly at children on TV, the ease of access to unhealthy food choices and the quantities they’re sold in as well as the overwhelming time commitment to computers, cell phones, and other devices contributing to sedentary living all played important roles in the growth of this devastating EPIDEMIC disease.

As these parents began LISTENING and HEARING my words, their DEFENSIVE REACTIONS eased significantly. Afterall, what was my MOTIVATION and PERSONAL GAIN for inciting them? It was solely based on the quality of THEIR children’s health! It became obvious their anger was simply displaced frustration.

At this point I was able to provide them a TOOL to help clearly identify whether their children were a healthy weight, overweight or obese. They began to realize their parental biases interfered with good, honest judgement.

Although there weren’t many smiling faces as I concluded my presentation, there were many who shook my hand and offered hugs as they exited showing their appreciation and willingness to ACCEPT this serious problem.

SO, HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR CHILD IS A HEALTHY WEIGHT, OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE WITHOUT BIAS?

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Use the following SIMPLE formula and chart:

• Measure your child’s height in inches and square it (or multiply it times itself)

• Measure your child’s weight in pounds

• Divide the weight by the “squared” height

• Multiply this number by 703

• This will produce your child’s BMI

• Go to the chart and see where your child’s BMI is located.

EXAMPLE: 13 year old boy 5’2″ tall weighing 120 pounds

• Child’s weight = 120 pounds
  

• Child’s height (in inches) squared = 62″squared = 3844 (simply multiply the the number in inches by itself 62 inches X 62 inches = 3844)

• Child’s weight divided by Child’s height squared 120÷ by 3844 = 0.031

• Multiply this number just calculate by 703 (0.031 X 703 = 21.945)

• BMI = 21.945

Go to the chart and plot your child’s age and BMI number. This will give you an OBJECTIVE HONEST METHOD to determine if your child’s weight is a factor requiring ATTENTION and ADJUSTMENTS to prevent LONG TERM health consequences.

For those using the metric system, the formula is:

• Child’s height in meters (squared)

• Child’s weight in kilograms

• Divide the child’s weight in kilograms by their height in meters²

EXAMPLE 13 year old boy 1.575 meters tall weighing 54.431 kilograms

• Weight in kilograms = 54.43

• Height in meters² =1.575 X 1.575 = 2.480 meters

• Divide the kilograms by the meters² 54.43 ÷ 2.480 = 21.947

• BMI = 21.947

Childhood overweight and obesity must FIRST be identified before it can be FIXED! This guideline creates an objective method that can ultimately SAVE your child from this growing EPIDEMIC!

TAKE THE TIME AND CALCULATE YOUR CHILD’S BMI NUMBER

 

Tags: children, fast food, health, lifestyle, obesity, pain, quality of life, screenings, sedentary living, self image