ing and overeating can be learned responses to stress in our environment. Change the environment and one can change the outcome. It may be difficult, as many of these learned re- sponses became a part of us at a very early age, but it can be done.
Medications are also a cause of obesity in our children.
Many psychiatric medications can cause weight gain. Their use in adolescents and even preadolescents is largely on the rise as depression and anxiety trouble more and more of our
youth. TV violence, violent video games along with the many other life stressors our children are exposed to on a daily basis are contributing factors. The need for chronic steroid use be- cause of the increase in chronic dis-ease in children is also a factor in the obesity pandemic. We know that obesity in adults predisposes them to a vari-
ety of health issues. Obesity in children can cause these same problems. Heart dis-ease, high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, breathing problems and emotional problems as noted above are becoming much more prevalent in children. It has been predicted that this current generation may be the first generation where parents outlive their chil- dren. This is a serious and alarming statement and we need to do everything possible to prevent this prediction from becom- ing a reality. In my opinion, anything worth having is worth fighting for
and that includes our health and the health of our children. Health is not a God given right. It is earned through hard work and dedication just like everything else in life. For the sake of our children we must first learn how to best take care of our- selves and then teach them these lifesaving skills. For two hundred percent of humans’ existence we ate
whole foods that came directly from nature. Food was not manufactured in a laboratory. Food was never used as a re- ward because it was scarce and precious. Family mealtime was the highlight of the day when everyone gathered together at the end of the day to eat, drink and share the events of their day no matter how trivial they might be. There were no res- taurants or fast foods or takeout. We hunted for our food. We grew our food. We harvested our food. We prepared our food. We were very much in touch with our food, where it came from and who prepared it. Eating local, in season and organic as much as possible
is a way for us to get back to the roots of our existence and feed our genes what they want to be fed. Eating home cooked meals and planning healthy snacks and meals in advance al- lows for healthier food choices, greater portion control, less expense and quality time spent together as a family. This is what will change the health of our children and ultimately, the health of our nation.
16
August 2010
www.naturalnutmeg.com
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