"This may be the first generation of children that will die before their parents"

This is from the American College of Sports Medicine; probably the most reliable and credible source of information in the health and wellness industry.

Source - http://www.acsm.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home_Page&template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=4256

***PREVENTION IN CHILDREN IS BEST OPTION TO COMBAT OBESITY EPIDEMIC
Expert says climbing youth obesity rate leading to largest public health crisis in history

Preventing obesity in children may be the best and only tactic to combat future problems with obese and overweight adults, according to obesity expert John P. Foreyt, Ph.D. Foreyt, opening keynote lecturer at the seventh-annual ACSM Health & Fitness Summit & Exposition, told health and fitness professionals our society, already in the midst of an obesity epidemic, must be more diligent when it comes to ensuring proper growth, development and overall health of children.

The newest data shows that rates of overweight children ages two to five have doubled and rates of those in their teen years have tripled. For adults, the numbers are increasingly dismal; 65 percent of adults are overweight, and by the year 2040, 100 percent will be overweight. Likewise, 31 percent of adults are now considered obese, but by year 2100, 100 percent of adults will be obese. That is, says Foreyt, unless prevention strategies are successful in a generation already facing obesity.

"This may be the first generation of children that will die before their parents," said Foreyt. "The climbing prevalence of risk factors previously seen in overweight and obese adults in their 40s and 50s, particularly Type 2 diabetes, is now seen in children from 10 to 15 years old."

Building more physical activity into the daily lives of children and educating them about portion sizes are the two major prevention strategies to combat youth obesity. This starts in schools and with parents, says Foreyt.

"Children are in school most of the day, so putting physical activity programs back into schools should be our first priority," he said. "The next step we must take is to teach children about normal eating patterns. For instance, a three year-old will self-regulate their eating; they will eat when they're hungry and stop eating when full. But a five year-old will just keep eating. Their environment tells them what to eat. If it's super-sized, they will become conditioned to eating super-sized portions. This is where the parents have to teach early portion control, and they're the only ones who can do it."

Foreyt points to data showing the obesity epidemic is worldwide. Statistics released this year from the World Health Organization have determined that more than one billion adults are overweight or obese. Nearly half of all adults are 15 pounds overweight, which leads to risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. "You'll simply die sooner if you're fat," says Foreyt. "The real issue is that overweight and obesity will take seven years from your life."

Foreyt notes society promotes obesity, which is a major obstacle to future prevention strategies. "It's normal to be fat these days," he says. "When we drive to work, sit in front of a computer all day, and watch TV all night, we take no natural opportunity to exercise. Food is cheap in America, and dense in calories, so our environment is certainly making us fat."

Research has shown small changes can make big differences, especially in changing behavior patterns of children. Foreyt recommends starting with small formulas for big results. "By reducing daily calories by 100, and adding more daily physical activity to burn an extra 100 calories, you can lose up to 20 pounds a year by practically doing nothing. That's leaving three bites uneaten of a fast-food hamburger and walking briskly each day for 20 minutes."

Foreyt says the loss of just 10 to 20 pounds can have a significant effect on health by lowering blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, but it will also increase self-esteem and reduce depression.

The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. More than 20,000 International, National and Regional members are dedicated to promoting and integrating scientific research, education and practical applications of sports medicine and exercise science to maintain and enhance physical performance, fitness, health and quality of life.***

Beachbody has several programs to address the child hood obesity epidemic and to reverse the over all trend of obesity and diabetes in both children and adults. All of us need to do our part for the sake of ourselves, our families, our nation, and for the hope of tomorrow or health care will not be around tomorrow, period, because we can't afford it.

Let me know of your interests and Join my Team: http://teambeachbody.com/metalpalace

We can do this!

Tom