Juvenile obesity is a serious, increasingly prevalent problem in technologically developed (computer literate) societies. Almost one-quarter of U.S. children are now obese, a dramatic increase of over 20% in the past decade. It is intriguing that the increase in prevalence has been occurring while overall fat consumption has been declining. A low physical activity (PA) is characteristic of obese children and adolescents, and it may be one cause of juvenile obesity.
There is a strong association between the prevalence of obesity and the extent of TV and computer viewing. The three main dietary approaches are; 1) protein sparing modified fast, 2) balanced hypocaloric diets, and 3) comprehensive behavioral lifestyle programs. To achieve long-standing control of overweight, one should combine changes in eating and activity patterns, using behavior modification techniques, said the American College of Sports Medicine.

Obesity rates climbed in 31 states in U.S.

Obesity rates continued to climb in 31 states last year, and no one state showed a decline.
Mississippi became the first state to crack the 30 percent barrier for adults considered to be obese. West Virginia and Alabama were just behind, according to the Trust for America’s Health, a research group that focuses on disease prevention. Colorado continued its reign as the leanest state in the nation with an obesity rate projected at 17.6 percent. (Associated Press - Aug, 2007)

Reducing Caloric Intake:

Sick of hearing "reduce calories", "stop eating?" Me too. But I'm also sick of hearing "Diets Don't Work," "I tried that, and it didn't work." Many things "work", the question is... "will you?", Yes it is going to take some effort, some will power, and some time.

Effective and permanent weight loss requires a balanced combination of several things. Reducing caloric intake while increasing caloric output, as well as changing your behavior toward food, activities and your schedule. Caloric intake is the amount of calories you eat and drink every day, while caloric output is your resting metabolic rate plus any physical activity. So if you consume more calories than you burn per day, the excess calories are stored as fat in your body, and your weight will increase. The good news is, weight loss has proven to be more effective when reducing caloric intake, rather than just increasing exercise. On the other hand, jumping on the next, new low calorie diet, may not give you the permanent weight loss and enhanced life style you are looking for either.

Its time to get up and move America!

Now there is an official health condition called "Wii-itis".... Meaning too much playing of the Wii. Similar to tendonitis.

Come on, finally we design a computer game that actually gets us up and moving around, and now it's too much activity? So if I am playing Taekwondo Wii, and I hurt my knee playing this video game, it may be called "Wii-knee?" and I may need to go to the doctor??

Physical Activity:

In the 80's when computer technology was not so much for the "home user" we did not hear about the importance of daily exercise. We were outside playing until it got dark, that was our exercise. In the 90's with the explosion of personal computers, email and video games this was, I believe, the beginning of child and adult obesity. Exercise and outdoor play became virtually nonexistent. Doctors and Health Physician would cry out the importance of 15-20 minutes exercise, 3-4 times a week; get your heart rate up to 70% MPR and hold it there for 20 minutes. Nowadays you here the Physicians begging the public to "JUST MOVE", get up and "MOVE" they beg.

Next to not smoking, getting regular physical activity is arguably the best thing you can do for your health. It lowers the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and certain cancers. Plus, it helps keep weight in check, helps control stress, and gives a boost to mood. Best of all? It doesn't take marathon training to see real health gains. A 30-minute brisk walk on five days of the week is all most people need, says Harvard School of Public Health Nutrition Source.

Yet two related— and very practical—questions remain: What is the best kind of exercise? And how much exercise do we need each day?

Mild Intensity: If you do not currently exercise, nor have an active lifestyle then any increase in exercise or physical activity is good for you. Some studies show that walking briskly for even one to two hours a week (15 to 20 minutes a day) starts to decrease the chances of having a heart attack or stroke, developing diabetes, or dying prematurely.

Moderate Intensity: Is any aerobic activity that causes a slight but noticeable increase in breathing and heart rate. One way to gauge moderate activity is with the "talk test"—exercising hard enough to break a sweat but not so hard you can't comfortably carry on a conversation. E.g. Dancing, Mowing the lawn.

Vigorous Intensity: Is an aerobic activity that causes more rapid breathing and a greater increase in heart rate, but you should still be able to carry on a conversation—with shorter sentences. E.g. Fast running, Shoveling snow, Chopping wood.

Behavior Modification:

When a behavior modification component is combined with any of these weight loss strategies, the results are far better.

Behavior modification means just what it says: changing one or more of your behavioral patterns. This may mean choosing a protein shake with fresh fruit instead of bacon, eggs and buttered toast for breakfast. Behavior modification also includes executing environmental control, which may be to:

1. Completely avoiding "trigger foods" which you cannot stop eating, such as potato chips, nuts or ice cream.
2. Not eating later than 2 hours before you go to bed
3. Eating smaller portions more often, rather than eating one meal a day.
4. Learning the caloric value of various foods
5. Nutrient education
6. Planning eating strategies for vacations or during stressful periods in your life
7. Support groups or the "buddy system"

I will have more to say on this... Meanwhile, take good natural supplements and eat healthy.