Childhood Obesity In Canada

Perinatal and early childhood factors for overweight and obesity in young Canadian children The increase in rate of obesity in young Canadian children has being a great concern. Efforts to identify the early factors has led to the study of potential early - life determinants, and their interrelationships with obesity among young Canadians. Four Preventive factors of early life determinants of childhood obesity in young Canadian children ages 6 to 11 that could guide early intervention practices were identified are as: Maternal smoking during pregnancy, birth weight, age and not being white, socio economic inequalities, genetic maternal factors, infant growth and feeding, childhood behaviors and environmental factors. Recent findings have

It presented some ideas that as an early childhood educator working with children, I could make available to families, such as creating awareness in parents so they are more knowledgeable about how important it is to get involved with their child’s school or Parent Advisory Council to help promote programs such as fundraising for healthy eating events or school lunch. Encourage parents and families to talk to model to their making healthy food choices to their children including making and eating together; To get involved with their child’s daycare provider or other caregivers to ensure healthy food choices are offered, and to encourage children to stay fit with fun activities. Physical activity can help increase children’s self-esteem and promote a healthy body weight and it is recommended that preschoolers under age five should be active for at least 180 minutes each day. This can include activity of varied intensity spread throughout the day. Children age’s five to 11 should aim for 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity each day. Parents could be encouraged to ensure their children get involved in Moderate physical activities such as walking or bike riding. Playing ball or Frisbee Swimming in the summer and skating or tobogganing in the winter. Vigorous-intensity physical activities (these activities make kids sweat and be ‘out of breath’) Hockey, basketball or soccer, dancing to their favorite upbeat songs, shovelling snow or raking leaves. To be active every day is important for healthy growth and development. Physical activity can help increase your child’s self-esteem and promote a healthy body weight. Most importantly, it is essential for parents to ensure that children get sufficient sleep at