In this article, Hills et al. (2011) discuss the link between obesity in children and their physical activity. The authors state that the periods of puberty and adolescence are especially vulnerable to gaining excessive weight. In Western countries, many children do not follow the official guidelines on the prevention of obesity through adequate physical activity. Among the main physical health problems that tend to develop, there are liver disease, diabetes type 2, sleep issues, asthma, and impaired mobility. The psychological problems include depression, low self-esteem, social discrimination and isolation, and so on. The authors assume that the increased energy consumption and its reduced usage lead to overweight, while predisposition and susceptibility impact the decisions to take food. In other words, family attitudes are a factor that shapes the views of children on energy consumption and expenditure. Based on the literature review of the recent evidence, Hills et al. (2011) also clarify that the environmental factors make a negative impact, including a lack of facilities in schools and insufficient promotion of healthy lifestyles. Health outcomes and physical activity affect each other, and if a child leads sedentary lifestyles and spends little energy, it causes obesity. Accordingly, the article suggests that parents, schools, and educators should encourage higher energy expenditure to maintain a normal level of body mass index (BMI). The benefits of physical activity in childhood and adolescence are better bone density, body composition improvement, and a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases (Hills et al., 2011). Compared to their parents, modern children tend to have more weight, and there is a need to promote healthy nutrition and everyday exercising, walking, and other types of physical activity.
Reference
Hills, A. P., Andersen, L. B., & Byrne, N. M. (2011). Physical activity and obesity in children. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 45(11), 866-870.