Pediatrix

You may have heard marketers use the phrase ‘Get them while they are young’ when trying to attract new customers. But how young is too young?  Last year the fast food industry alone spent over $300 million to target children and teens as young as two.  The total amount spent marketing junk food products to adolescent and teen-age children?  $2 billion.

Companies selling junk food products are speaking to your children early and often, through a variety of media channels. Their messages are aggressive and relentless, aimed at influencing the dietary choices of society’s youngest consumers. Sugar sweetened drinks and fast food are the unhealthiest products marketed to children. These aggressive marketing strategies are an enormous contributing factor to the skyrocketing rates of diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity among children.

Recent studies have shown that preschool-aged children who have been regularly fed foods high in sugar, salt, and fat, learn to recognize junk food brands and prefer these foods to healthier options. These preferences are often unchanged into adulthood. Preferring junk food to healthy meal choices has long-term health implications, as junk food lacks vitamins and nutrients critical for growth and development. Some studies have even shown a measurable drop in IQ points in children who ate predominately processed foods.

When parents allow marketers to effect how they feed their children, the results can be deadly. Obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and even stroke—all diseases that once only affected middle-aged adults—are now impacting children. Young people must consume less calorie rich, sugar sweetened, and nutrient poor, junk food. Parents must monitor the amounts of junk food their children are consuming, and teach children healthy eating habits from a young age.

Junk food companies did get one thing right: if you ‘get them while they are young’ you will have a long-term impact on a child’s tastes and preferences. As a parent it is your responsibility to instill healthy habits while your children are young. Providing nourishing, truly healthy food will have both an immediate and lifelong impact on your child’s health.

To learn more about the dangers of a junk food rich diet contact Pediatrix, your Phoenix pediatricians. Make an appointment to discuss healthy eating habits and complete balanced nutrition for your child with a Phoenix pediatrician.

Sincerely,

Subir K. Mitra, MD, FAAP

Pediatrix

As pediatricians in Phoenix, we at Pediatrix have been increasingly aware that childhood obesity is becoming an epidemic across the country.  Too often parents are late to recognize that their children have become overweight.  Children are developing heart disease, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes, which was previously known as “adult onset diabetes.”  Being overweight also affects children’s psychological well being, reducing their self-worth and coping skills. The longer a child is overweight the more likely it is they will be overweight as an adult.  We must take steps to break such an unhealthy cycle.

Like adults, kids need exercise.  Children need at least one hour of physical activity every day. Early childhood is the best time to establish good fitness habits so kids can enjoy exercise rather than learning to avoid it.

Regular exercise helps children

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Develop healthy bones, muscles, and joints
• Increase self-confidence and self esteem
• Build a strong immune system
• Have more energy
• Reduce anxiety, depression, and improve overall mood
• Have better quality sleep

Unfortunately, the popularity of video games and television has resulted in a steep decline in children taking part in regular exercise and outdoor activities.  Parents should limit “technology time” and encourage children to play outside.  In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that screen time (television and video games) be limited to 1-2 hours a day.  Including the whole family in outdoor or physical daily activities can set a good example and be fun for everyone.

As pediatricians in Phoenix, we see the many opportunities to get outside and enjoy our beautiful weather.  We encourage you to help your children form healthy habits.  The earlier they learn to make exercise a part of their daily life, the more likely they are to grow up healthy and become active adults.

If you are concerned about your child’s weight or have questions about healthy exercise contact Pediatrix, your pediatricians in Phoenix. Make an appointment to discuss healthy exercise plans for the whole family.

Sincerely,

Subir K. Mitra, MD, FAAP