Childhood Obesity Research Papers And Articles
In the last three decades the number of overweighed children has over passed imagination and childhood obesity research has gone beyond the surface causes, to discover that obesity can be genetically caused and it can even lead to cancer. All the researchers’ efforts not only have improved the fight against obesity but have also raised new questions and facts that could influence even more the public opinion and determine people to pay more attention to this phenomenon.
Studies suggest that childhood obesity can be genetically inherited. Researches have proved that the body-mass index (BMI) can be heritable in a percentage of 55 to 85 %. However, scientists do not completely agree yet on this matter and there hasn’t been found any precise genetic cause. However, the genetic lesions seem to be related to a hypothalamic dysfunction.
On the other hand, the obesity had such a rapid and wide spread all over the world, regardless the ethnicity and the sex, that it’s even harder to find a genetically-related cause. Research on childhood obesity will, eventually, relieve in the future the genetic connection between a child’s preferences for sweet instead of salty or sour. Until then, the families with obese parents that have obese child will still produce polemics: is it a matter of genetics or just a matter of unhealthy eating habits and the lack of exercises?
Anyways, the obesity issue has become so serious in the last years, that the American authorities have claimed it an epidemic. Besides the questions related to the genetic predisposition to obesity, the specialists have also risen some questions concerning the liaison between childhood obesity and cancer. Research on childhood obesity has shown that obese children of both sexes have higher chances of developing cancer. This hypothesis becomes more credible as various types of cancer are, just like obesity, more and more related to junk-food.
Scientists believe that obese children risk to develop pancreatic, respiratory-tract, bladder or mouth cancers as they become adults is higher than for normal weighed children. These new results should really alarm people all over the world; obesity is a very serious problem itself but knowing that it could be genetically transmitted to the children and that it can lead to cancer makes it even scarier.
The first ones to take a decision are parents. They should pay more attention to what their children eating behavior is, to make sure that they don’t have a sedentary life in front of the TV, computer or play-station. Parents should get more involved in ensuring a healthy diet, rich in vegetables, fruits, fibers, calcium and magnesium and help their children grow-up normally. If they feel that the situation is running out of control, they shouldn’t feel ashamed to apply for a childhood obesity program. Childhood obesity research has revealed enough ways to equal chances they deserve and it would be a pity if parents and adults wouldn’t’ take the chance of them in order to help their children.