"Constant Eating" Leads to Childhood Obesity

 

Wednesday March 3, 2010

According to a new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, American kids are developing a trend toward "constant eating". Most kids eat three snacks a day in addition to three meals a day. Researchers feel that this is a contributing factor for the increase in childhood obesity.

The study includes surveys of food intake of over 31,000 American kids from 1977 to 2006. Since 1977 the percentage of kids who eat snacks between meals rose from 74 to 98 percent.

A majority of kids snack on empty calories and junk foods such as salty, sugary, and fat-ridden foods. Candy consumption is also on the rise.

As the childhood obesity rate climbs, so does the incidence of type 2 diabetes in kids.

It's important to limit the amount of snack foods that kids eat, and to provide them with nutritious food at meals. If kids need a snack, fresh fruit and vegetables, or low-fat whole grain foods are good choices.

Posted via email from kleerstreem's posterous