Childhood Obesity - Do you have an overweight child? We offer tips to help your child lose weight and get fit!

Monkeys who occupy subordinate places within their social groups are more likely to develop abdominal fat, according to a new study from Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

Professor Carol Snively believes that humans under social stress could develop similar problems.

In her study, subordinate monkeys were not included in group grooming sessions and were subject to more aggression. This social stress led to the development of abdominal fat.

Much of the excess fat in many people who are overweight is located in the abdomen, and that fat behaves differently than fat in other locations. If there is too much, it can have far more harmful effects on health that fat located in other areas, she wrote.

Prof. Snively's study appeared in the journal Obesity.

Labels: causes of childhood obesity, stress

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A study of 1,011 adolescents found that those who had higher levels of stress were more likely to be overweight.

"We found that an adolescent or youth who is more stressed -- caused by such things as having poor grades, mental health problems, aggressive behaviors, or doing more drugs and alcohol -- is more likely to be overweight or obese," said Brenda Lohman, professor of human development and family studies at Iowa State University.

The five stress factors used were academic problems, consumption of drugs and alcohol, depression or mental health issues, aggression, and lack of future orientation. The study, which involved children ages 10 to 15 years old, also found that their mothers' stress could be a contributing factor to their being overweight.

Adolescent overweight has been associated with a wide range of serious health problems (including an increased risk of premature death) both during one's younger years and into adulthood.

This study appeared in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Labels: causes of childhood obesity, overweight children, stress

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Children who live in stressful homes have double the risk of obesity, according to a new Swedish study.

Researchers from Linkping University assessed the stress levels of 7,443 families by evaluating disruptive life events such as family accidents, sickness, divorce, unemployment, violence, or death. They also counted stressors such as marital and parenting problems, lack of social networks, and concerns about children's health and development.

The study began when the children were infants. When it ended five years later, the researchers noted that the obesity rate of the children from high-stress families was double the rate of those whose families had fewer stressful incidents.

Lead author Felix-Sebastian Koch said that stress is not the only factor involved in childhood obesity, and that it probably interacts with other factors, especially if stress levels become too great for a family to handle.

This study appears in the Journal of Pediatrics.

Labels: mental_health, stress, sickness

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Believe it or not, social setting, presentation, and even the size of the plate can all influence how much a person eats. Dr. Wanda Hollway, a specialist in eating disorders and obesity, gives advice about what to look for and how to keep eating under control at parties and other social gatherings.

"People often feel a loss of control over their food intake when they are being observed or monitored by others. They may often have a hard time saying no when others are commenting on the taste and flavor of different items or when they are being encouraged to try something they would not have chosen while alone. More often than not, they tend to eat more than they had intended."

Social gatherings are meant to be fun for adults and for kids. Enjoying food together is part of the fun and shouldn't be cut out altogether. It is important, however, to be aware of how much you're actually eating.

Social influences and pressures can make teens engage in all kinds of risky behaviors including substance abuse. Worried that your teenager is doing drugs or drinking? Visit DrugRehabTreatment.com for warning signs and ways to help.

Labels: stress, influences, pressures

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Teens with sleep apnea are more likely to be overweight and at risk for heart attacks, strokes and diabetes, according to a new study by Case Western University. Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder in which soft tissues in the throat collapse temporarily during sleep.

Dr. Susan Redline and her colleagues studied 270 teenagers and found that those with sleep apnea were six and a half times more likely to have metabolic syndrome, a condition liked with being overweight. A person has the syndrome if he or she has three of the following: abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, high triglycerides and low levels of "good" cholesterol.

This study suggests that sleep apnea may contribute to metabolic syndrome, because "sleep stress" may lead to elevated blood sugar and blood pressure levels. This study appears in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

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Labels: sleep, stress, health_factors

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Many adults know firsthand the benefits of pilates. It improves flexibility, conditioning, and self-esteem. It can also help people learn how to focus. The same benefits that are experienced by adults can also be experienced by kids.

"Seven's parenting expert Dr. Valerie Goode says what's great about this form of exercise is that if your child doesn't excel at sports, pilates is a great way to help build his or her self-esteem... In fact, pilates has been shown to increase flexibility, strength, endurance and coordination. Plus, it's a great stress-reliever."

With childhood obesity rates on the rise, a low-impact form of exercise like pilates can get kids up and moving and enjoying the benefits that come from developing a strong body and mind. Read more at WSVN.com.

Labels: self_esteem, exercise, stress

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