肥胖的危害

　　根据杜邦的小儿科心脏科医师塞缪尔S.Gidding的观点，儿童肥胖病是一个严重的问题。在过去20年里，超重孩子数量的增加超过了50%，而极端超重孩子的数量几乎加倍了。在美国大约25%到30%学龄儿童是超重或肥胖的，这给他们带来在心脏病、糖尿病、高胆固醇、睡眠停吸、哮喘、矫形问题、高血压和其他健康问题的高风险”。

　　肥胖是指体重超标的情形，给一个人带来健康风险。对身体脂肪剩余的定义是，肥胖是身体无法平衡卡路里摄取和能量消耗的结果。(体重是身体综合指数(BMI)的评价指标，腰围和患病的风险与肥胖病相关。)

　　肥胖的原因

　 　　根据Gidding博士的说法，不良的饮食习惯和不好动是儿童肥胖病的起因。特别是如果两个父母超重，肥胖病的家史也许也增加成为肥胖儿童的风险。另外，平常美国饮食的高油脂和卡路里和许多孩子不好动的生活方式相结合，造成儿童肥胖病的流行和急剧增加。“在今天步调快速的社会，许多家庭倾向于出去吃饭或边走边吃高脂食品，经常吃更高热量的食物”，Gidding博士说。

　　“许多父母担心关于他们的孩子是否有不健康的体重”，Gidding博士说。“要明白和确认的方式之一是找医生检查，医生将确定您的孩子是否是在他们的高度和年龄所理想的重量之上。

　　当一个孩子的体重明显高于他身高的理想体重时，孩子通常是肥胖的。

　　一般来说，如果儿童的重量超出被测量高度的理想重量的20%或更多，孩子是稍胖的。超过30%是严重肥胖病。其他确定儿童肥胖病方式包括(为测定营养状况拧捏皮肤而形成的)皮肤褶厚度、生物电阻和全身测密度术的测量”。

　　gidding博士建议，如果孩子是超过40%超重，医师或注册营养师指导减重过程也许会建议修改儿童的饮食行为，胜过于约束卡路里。“在过程中，重点应该在现在采取长期的一种更加健康的生活方式，而不仅在于减肥”，Gidding博士解释。“孩子正处于身体和智力发育阶段，他们需要充分营养以便于成长。结合健康均匀的饮食与锻炼是达到体脂肪的健康水平最佳的方式。通过制定合理的目标，体重会达到理想预期”。

　　虽然迅速成长和重量增加是青春期的一部分，Gidding博士解释许多孩子和青少年变得超重是由于太多卡路里和太少的锻炼。“如果您孩子或青少年倾向于无所事事、看电视或打电子游戏，逐渐地介绍更多体育活动融入您的家庭生活，不论是有组织的或者是个人的。”Gidding博士建议。“一起散步或骑自行车。设计低脂食物、有营养的快餐”。

　　防止儿童肥胖病最重要的策略之一是为成长提供充分营养。gidding博士提醒父母看一看他们自己的饮食习惯是否是一个好例子。“鼓励统一家庭的饮食习惯，锻炼和生活方式，并且可以根据营养建议和行为技术得以修改”，Giddin博士说。“从您的家庭消灭不健康的食物胜过禁止您的孩子吃什么；在您的孩子能容易拿到的地方放置健康快餐；限制看电视和用电脑的时间并且抽空和孩子一起锻炼。锻炼是您能做的能降低您的胆固醇、血压以及使您感觉更好的最简单的事”。

本文由http://www.21very.com 翻译，转载请注明出处。
英语原文：
If you are concerned about your child's weight, you are in good company. According to Samuel S. Gidding, MD, pediatric cardiologist at Virtua-duPont, "Childhood obesity is a serious problem. Over the past 20 years, the number of children who are overweight has increased by more than 50 percent and the number of extremely overweight children has nearly doubled. About 25 to 30 percent of school-age children in the United States are overweight or obese, which puts them at a high risk for heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, asthma, orthopedic problems, hypertension and other health problems."

Obesity is a condition of excess weight, which puts a person at health risk. Defined as an excess of body fat, obesity is the result of a body's inability to balance calorie intake and energy expenditure. (Weight is evaluated by body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and a patient's risk factors for disease and conditions associated with obesity.)

According to Dr. Gidding, poor eating habits and inactivity are the root causes of childhood obesity. A family history of obesity may also increase a child's risk of becoming obese, especially if both the parents are overweight. In addition, the high level of fat and calories in the average United States diet combined with the inactive lifestyle of many children is contributing to the dramatic increase in the prevalence of childhood obesity. "In today's fast-paced society, foods with higher fat are easier to access as many families tend to eat out or eat on the run, often eating foods in larger portions with a higher caloric intake," says Dr. Gidding.

"Many parents worry about whether their children are at an unhealthy weight," says Dr. Gidding. "One way to know for sure is to check with your child's doctor, who will determine if your child is above the ideal weight for their height and age. A child usually is obese when they are significantly over ideal body weight for their height. In general, if a child's weight is 20 percent or more in excess of the expected weight for a given height, a child is mildly obese. More than 30 percent above ideal weight is severe obesity. Additional ways to determine childhood obesity include the measurement of skinfold thickness, bioelectrical impedance and whole-body densitometry."

Dr. Gidding recommends that if a child is more than 40 percent overweight, a physician or registered dietitian guided weight loss program may be suggested to modify the child's eating behaviors, rather than just restricting calories. "During the course of the program, the emphasis should be on adopting a healthier lifestyle for the long term, not just on losing weight now, explains Dr. Gidding. "Children are developing physically and mentally, and they need adequate nutrition as they grow. Combining a healthy well-balanced diet with exercise is the best way to achieve healthy levels of body fat. By setting reasonable goals, weight maintenance should be achieved before weight loss is contemplated."

Although rapid growth and weight gain are part of puberty and adolescence, Dr. Gidding explains that many children and teens become overweight because of too many calories and too little exercise. "If your child or teen tends to sit around and watch television or play video games, try gently introducing more physical activities into your family life whether in an organized sport or individual pursuit," suggests Dr. Gidding. "Take a walk together or go for a bike ride. Make good nutrition and exercise a family affair by planning lower fat meals, nutritious snacks and family activities."

One of the most important strategies of preventing childhood obesity is to provide adequate nutrition for growth and development. Dr. Gidding reminds parents to take a look at their own eating habits to see if they are setting a good example. "Family involvement is encouraged in identifying eating habits, exercise and lifestyle patterns that can be modified through nutrition counseling and behavior techniques," says Dr. Gidding. "Eliminate unhealthy foods from your household rather than singling out your child and prohibiting her from eating them; keep healthy snacks in a place where your child can easily get to them; limit television and computer time and make time to exercise with your child. Exercise is the simple thing that you can do to lower your cholesterol and blood pressure and make you feel better."