Weight Loss & Youth
By Kiran Basra B.Sc. Phm., Pharm. D.
Childhood obesity rates are on the rise. How can you keep your
kid from becoming a statistic? It’s simple … and natural.
There’s probably been a time or two when you sat your kids down and
gave them the “Back in the Day” speech. You know, the one about walking
miles and miles to school, uphill both ways. Of course, they likely
responded with a roll of the eyes and a curt, “Whatever.” Chances are
you’ll never convince your kids to adhere to that kind of old- fashioned
exercise ethic, no matter how many times you tell them how tough you might
have had it. Let’s face it, times have changed, and it’s a challenge just
to get your kid off of the computer or away from their video game
console.
Convenience and complacency have replaced inspiration and
initiative, and because of that, today’s youth – sometimes referred to as
the “Xbox generation” – are considered the most inactive generation in
history. This inactivity, coupled with poor dietary habits, has resulted
in extensive increases in childhood obesity rates over the past 25 years.
Childhood obesity is a real problem and the risks associated with it could
be extremely detrimental to a child’s growth and development and hamper
their self-esteem. So it’s time to ditch the old stories and take a more
proactive approach to bettering your child’s health and
wellness.
A growing epidemic
In Canada, the
obesity rates in children have gone up six per cent, which corresponds to
half a million Canadian youth. Similarly, the overweight population (those
people not yet classified as obese but significantly above normal weight)
has jumped 15 per cent over the past 25 years. This astounding percentage
corresponds to over 1.5 million Canadian youth who are struggling with
their weight.
As the Canadian lifestyle evolves into one that is
more sedentary, the fear is that this generation may represent the first
to die at a younger age than their parents. A report published by the
Canadian Institute for Health Information noted that four out of five
Canadian youth are 40 per cent less active than youth from 15 years ago
and are, therefore, not active enough to meet the international guidelines
for optimal growth and development.
The common misconception about
childhood obesity is that the child will outgrow it. However, more and
more studies are showing that childhood obesity is directly linked with
adult obesity, and, ultimately, obesity-related health concerns, many of
which were not seen until adulthood and are now becoming more and more
prevalent during childhood. Diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and sleep
apnea have all been linked to obesity and are being diagnosed more
frequently in children. Orthopedic complications are also becoming more
pronounced in our youth as the growing bone and cartilage are not strong
enough to bear excess weight. What’s most concerning is the psychological
effects of obesity on our children. More and more children develop a
negative body image and poor self-esteem at a younger age, which often
results in the development of eating disorders.
A natural
response
It’s necessary to encourage your children to be
more active and to develop healthy eating habits. Data indicates that
children who are active are less likely to be obese than children who are
less active. Vigorous exercise, even for 20 to 30 minutes a day, is a good
start to developing a healthy regimen for your child. Make sure your child
spends less than an hour per day in front of the TV, on the computer, or
playing video games. Get them outside to play with friends or ride their
bike. Enrolling them in sports is also a good way to get them moving and
will help build their social skills.
The importance of balanced
meals is essential for the development of all bodily organs and systems;
everything from nerve impulses to muscle movement to kidney function
depends on the intake of balanced meals. If your child is eating large
quantities of fast food, which is high in fat and calories and low in
nutrients, and not eating the appropriate amounts of fruits and
vegetables, they’ll likely have to deal with weight problems. Data shows
that children who eat fruits and vegetables five or more times a day are
substantially less likely to be overweight or obese.
A good rule of
thumb is that your child should have at least two to three medium-sized
whole fruits or two to three cups of chopped fruit per day. This fruit can
be added to cereal or oatmeal, blended with fruit juice or yogurt, or
eaten as snacks. Fruit will give your child energy, help them feel good,
and aid in weight loss.
Three to five servings of vegetables per
day are also essential. One serving equals a half cup of cooked vegetables
or one cup of raw vegetables. A good-sized salad with multiple vegetables
in it will cover about two servings. Your child can even use yogurt dip
with chopped vegetables for a great snack idea and stir-fried vegetables
and brown rice make an excellent meal idea.
For grains, breads,
pastas, and rice, always make sure your child is eating whole grain,
brown, or whole wheat. It is better for them, has more flavour, and will
provide added fibre and nutrients to their diet. Your child should stick
to lean meats like chicken and turkey, and lean cuts of beef. Eating
free-range or organic meats where possible is best. Your child should have
protein sources at least two to three times per day, eat nuts and seeds as
snacks, and eat beans a few times a week. These are all great protein
sources and help with weight loss.
The Youth
Program
Unfortunately for many, long-term weight loss is
very difficult to achieve. Individuals often fall into a cycle of weight
reduction followed by a gradual weight gain over time. Unfortunately, this
cycling doesn’t reduce the risk of long-term complications and is
extremely frustrating and stressful for the individual. Herbal Magic
offers a full line of weight loss programs catered to meet individual
needs, and designed to break the weight loss/gain cycle by replacing
long-term complications with long-term solutions.
Herbal Magic is
extremely proud to offer the QLP Youth program,
the first program of its kind developed by our Scientific Advisory Team to
treat obesity in youth aged 12 to 17. This program immediately addresses
the obesity concern and plays a crucial role in the development of
lifelong, healthy eating and lifestyle habits. Youth on the Herbal Magic
program lose the weight and keep it off; maintaining a healthy weight
ultimately reduces their risk of obesity-related health concerns. The
program also provides the appropriate nutritional allotments of vitamins
and minerals essential for healthy development and the appropriate usage
of essential fatty acids that have been proven to aid in optimal brain
function.
Our QLP Youth program
will teach your child how to eat properly, make wise food choices, and
gain control over their eating habits. In addition, we provide them with
some safe, natural health products that ensure they’ll succeed in their
weight loss endeavours. All of this comes with information on the basics
of required physical activity. On the QLP Youth program,
they can expect to lose weight, feel better, be happier, improve their
school performance, improve their self-esteem, and significantly decrease
their risk of many chronic diseases.
There is a stronger,
healthier, and brighter way for our youth, one that will result in them
having a more positive self-image today and a healthier life tomorrow.
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