Obesity, Heart Disease in Men and Women
Teenagers Now Susceptible to Heart Disease
Nutritional biochemist, famous Dr. T. Colin Campbell of Cornell University has found that one out of two children born today will develop heart disease, and a new study from the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions (http://www.americanheart.org/), shows that heart disease actually begins developing early in childhood. Fatty deposits in the coronary arteries begin appearing by the age of 3, in children who partake in a typical American diet
Processed foods laden with fats. By the age of 12, nearly 70% of our children have advanced fatty deposits, and by the age of 21, early stages of heart disease is evident in virtually all young adults! Dr. John Knowles, of the Rockefeller Foundation, has cited that 99% of all children are born healthy, yet are made sick as a result of their eating habits. The tender years of childhood should be the healthiest of all, bones are strong, hair is thick, liver and endocrine glands are functioning to full capacity, and they should have inexhaustible energy; yet, their bodies are being fed hamburgers full of steroids, antibiotics, hormones and chemicals; milk that is often indigestible which can cause ear aches, colds, allergies, asthma and lots of health problems.
The latest studies find “adult” diseases are related to what we eat throughout our early years in life. In fact, 95% of coronary disease can be prevented by implementing healthier eating habits earlier in life – reducing dietary fat and consuming more fresh vegetables, fruits and natural complex carbohydrates such as whole grains is very important.
Prevention is important – reward your child for good behavior with fresh fruits, instead of sugary processed candies; establish healthy eating habits before any damage to their health occurs.
Knowing these teachings will mean true life and good health for you.
-Proverbs 4:22
Childhood Obesity a Growing Problem
A recent shocking report in Newsweek Magazine stated that one in three children that have long-term health problems is obese and the crisis is growing. The U.S. government estimates that 6 million or more of American children are now fat enough to endanger their health, Sugared, with another 5 million on Fast Junk the threshold. Children Foods today are 30% heavier than in 1990 due to extreme social forces, such as fast food and junk food TV commercials. The percentage of young people who are overweight has almost doubled in the past 20 years. Almost half of young people aged 12-21 and more than a third of all high school students don’t participate in vigorous physical activity on a regular basis. Daily participation in physical education classes by high school students dropped from 42% in 1991 to 27% in 1997 and sadly might be even lower for 2001 and beyond.
Before 1988, about 6% or less of American children ages 6 through 17 were overweight. Since then, the number has jumped way up among children. So why is it that so many more children are overweight? The answer is painfully obvious; many children eat too much, especially the wrong foods and exercise too little. Children are driven to school or take busses instead of walking; they then come home and sit on the couch and watch ads for high fat foods on the television. A double whammy! The average American child spends from 15 to 24 hours each week watching TV, videos and the web – time that could be spent in physical activity.
If your food is refined, chemicalized and devitalized, or if its value has been diminished by wrong growing or cooking processes, you can starve to death on a full stomach because the important elements of nourishment have been removed.
Early Lifestyle Triggers Obesity
Lifestyle triggers obesity in kids. Many young people are not physically active on a regular basis and physical activity declines dramatically during adolescence. Regular physical activity in childhood and adolescence improves strength and endurance, helps build healthy bones and muscles, helps control weight, reduces anxiety and stress, and increases self-esteem. It also helps normalize blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
There are numerous reasons for concern for these overweight children. Studies show that overweight children are at risk for many serious diseases such as high levels of blood pressure, insulin, and cholesterol, making them excellent candidates for conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. In addition, there is the emotional stress and depression associated with peer pressure and the stigmatism of being fat.
It’s important to be supportive, accepting, and loving of all children, overweight or not. A positive self-image is important for weight control. There are many ways to help an overweight child regain control of their weight. By cutting out 100 calories a day, he’ll lose 15 pounds a year! Turn off the TV and video games and encourage physical activity; sports, handball, tae kwon do, rollerblading, swimming, trampolining, tennis, etc. Teach nutrition and healthy eating practices, not only by making healthy meals, but by example – eat the right foods and avoid fast foods, high sugar snacks, sodas and desserts altogether. Substitute healthy fresh fruit snacks and raw veggie stick snacks. Eat slowly and chew each mouthful thoroughly. Don’t overeat. The Bragg Healthy Lifestyle establishes life-long healthy habits for all ages. Exercising, eating healthy foods, and an occasional fast day helps teach children early to normalize their weight.
Every day the average heart beats 100,000 times and pumps about 1,800 gallons of blood for nourishing your body. In 70 years this adds up to more than 2.5 billion (faithful) heartbeats. Please be good to your heart and start this Bragg Healthy Heart Program for living a longer, happier, healthier life!
– Patricia Bragg, Health Crusader
