Hcg Diet: What Parents Can Do To Help Their Kids Overcome Obesity
As the healthcare debate rages throughout the nation and we consider the impact obesity has on the issue, many supporters of the HCG diet suggest that perhaps the diet may provide the solution. The HCG diet is not intended for kids. However, parents who establish a healthy weight can be a powerful influence over their obese children.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that our government spends an incredible $147 billion each year on medical issues directly connected to obesity. Issues like type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, depression and cancer. These chronic diseases not only impact the health of the individual, but also the length and quality of their life.
Obesity and Life Expectancy
Last year, Oxford University released the results of research they conducted on one million obese individuals from around the world. The study showed that even “moderate obesity” can cut one’s life expectancy by 3 years and “severe obesity reduces one’s life expectancy by as much as 10 years.
Sadly, this means that as many parents are having children later in life, they may not live to see their grandchildren. Even more astonishing are the results of several studies, which suggest that this generation of obese children may be the first generation to not outlive their parents! That is, if the tide isn’t turned and quickly.
Michelle Obama Proposes Solution
Michelle Obama confronted this issue head on by penning a Newsweek cover story entitled: Feed Your Children Well: My Fight Against Obesity. In the article, Mrs. Obama explains, “our kids didn’t do this to themselves. Our kids don’t decide what’s served in the school cafeteria or whether there’s time for gym class or recess. Our kids don’t choose to make food products with tons of sugar and sodium in supersize portions, and then have those products marketed to them everywhere they turn. And no matter how much they beg for fast food and candy, our kids shouldn’t be the ones calling the shots at dinnertime. We’re in charge. We make these decisions.”
Lifelong Habits for Health
Mrs. Obama puts the responsibility of childhood obesity squarely on the shoulders of the adults of the nations. She points out that as parents we can have tremendous influence on our children, their health and their weight.
Study after study shows that obese parents tend to have obese children. When parents are able to get their weight under control by eating nutritious foods and exercising regularly, they are then prepared to help their children develop these same healthy habits.
For some adults, especially those with a BMI of more than 30, the HCG diet has enabled them to achieve results that energized them to continue working toward developing healthy habits for life, for themselves and for their kids.