Childhood Obesity: What You Should Know

Childhood Obesity: What You Should Know

At Stuto Foot Specialist Podiatry, LLC, we see an increasing prevalence of childhood obesity throughout the country. Obesity now affects 1 in 5 children and adolescents, and this number continues to rise at a dramatic rate. Obesity in children has now become a public health concern not just in our country but in most parts of the world.

Obesity puts children at a greater risk of developing health problems, particularly with their feet. Excess body weight greatly increases the risk of injury and other chronic foot problems such as diabetes and arthritis into adulthood. Common causes of childhood obesity include genetics, poor diet, poor eating habits, and lack of physical activity.

Today Dr. Joseph Stuto is sharing some essential tips to help tackle childhood obesity.

Healthy eating: The food you eat affects your overall health. A healthy and balanced diet helps you maintain a healthy weight. Changing your eating habits can make a big difference in your health. Switch to fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, and whole-grain foods instead of less healthy snacks. Encourage your child to drink water instead of sodas and other high-sugar drinks. Control how much you eat by limiting your portion sizes.

Make fitness a part of your daily ritual: Encourage children to participate in some type of physical activity. Activities like walking, cycling, swimming, and dancing can help children from becoming overweight and obese. Being active also helps reduce the risk of obesity-related foot problems.

Reduce screens time: Children and teens today spend hours in front of computers, television, gaming consoles, and cell phones. This sedentary lifestyle can lead to unhealthy eating habits. Excessive screen time can lead to unhealthy eating habits and increase the risk of obesity in children.

We want your child to have optimal foot health 24/7. If he or she is experiencing any foot or ankle pain, contact our two offices in Brooklyn, NY, at (718) 624-7537 or (718) 567-1403 to schedule an appointment with our highly experienced board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Joseph Stuto.

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