by Katarzyna Radzka

Created on: September 15, 2010

British children just like many other children around the world are getting fatter. Their midsections are growing, clothes are getting larger, and their bodies flabbier. In the process they are damaging their health and decreasing their longevity and little is being done to reverse the situation. Talk and discussion aren’t enough to make a change. Action needs to be taken but for that to happen parents, schools, teachers and the media need to understand how the problem arose.

There’s too much junk food and it’s too readily available. Supermarkets stock crisps, sweets and candy for children to reach at the counter before their parents even realize or can object. Aisles are filled from top to bottom with food that is laden with fat, calories, preservatives and other chemicals that are all dangerous for health especially when consumed in large quantities. Then there’s the fast food outlets that are taking over small towns and big cities. Burgers, fries, thick shakes and pizzas are available everywhere. Organizing a healthy meal is becoming much harder than it ought to be. It’s so much easy to take the kids out for take-out or order for pizza than to spend half an hour fixing up some steamed fish with vegetables.

Lack of exercise is also a reason why children are getting fatter. Although exercise isn’t everything it does play a significant role in weight issues. Decades ago children spent lots of their free time being active in different ways. Spending an afternoon in front of the television or a computer was not a priority. It was much more fun to hang out with friends outdoors, play games and be active in every way possible. Parents had a difficult time persuading their kids to come back inside for dinner. Now things have gone in the opposite direction. Parents need to force their children to get out and do some exercise because they’d rather stay absorbed in the latest and greatest video game that doesn’t seem to have an end.

People misjudge the repercussions of childhood obesity and weight problems. If they took the issue seriously than children would develop properly and avoid unnecessary weight gain. Until parents take action to solve the problem children will continue to get fatter. They will suffer from health problems like diabetes and high cholesterol and every day activities like walking to school or cycling to the shop will be a chore.

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