Reading Task

Task: Read the fact sheet about Obesity in Children and then answer the given questions about it in your blogs.

· What is obesity?
Obesity is people's body stores unused energy (kilojoules) as body fat.

· What are the reasons for obesity in children?
Food choices, lack of physical activity, Spending a lot of time on sedentary pursuits, Overweight parents, genetics

· Is obesity only a national problem?
No, it is a worldwide problem

· What do statistics show?
The statistics show 2 points.
1. According to 1985 to 1995 the number of overweight 7–15 year olds almost doubled and the numbers of obese children has more than tripled, a prediction can be made as that 65 per cent of young Australians will be overweight or obese by 2020.
2. Because overweight or obese children are more likely to remain obese, about 80 per cent of obese adolescents will become obese adults.

· What is making worse the obesity problem?
By society changing, people changed their lifestyle includes spending less time and costs on food (eg. relay on take away food, fast food), eating more (eg. increased portion sizes) and becoming less active (eg.relay on cars, physical education reduction), which is making worse the obesity problem.

· Does obesity have an impact on children’s health?
Yes.

· If yes, explain how?
There are many potential health problems for obese children, like
Type 2 diabetes, eating disorders such as bulimia or binge eating, orthopaedic disorders, liver problems, respiratory disorders, sleep apnoea, snoring and cardiomyopathy.

· What are the other impacts caused by obesity in children?
Health problems associated with obesity
Obesity in childhood leads to obesity in adulthood
Social problems for obese children and adolescents

· What is the treatment?
- Go to see a nutritionist, you can contact the Dietitians Association of Australia
- Go to see your doctor
- Get help form 'Go for your life' Infoline service Tel. 1300 73 98 99