Half of young people between ages of 12 to 21 engage in no regular vigorous physical activity. Many parents think their children will grow out of it. However, evidence shows that children who remain heavy through adolescence tend to stay that way as adults. Society has changed. You need look no further than the demise of home cooking and the increase of fast food meals.
Children suffer physically and emotionally by being overweight.
For many children, it is not the extra pounds that take the greatest emotional toll - it is the reaction of family and peers. Self-esteem becomes an issue. The child's obesity may be compounded by depression, anxiety, or an eating disorder. It is important for parents not to regard a plump child as a blight on their image or as a personal failure. Parents need to focus on helping the child, and the whole family, create and maintain healthy eating behaviors.