Prevent the Problem

Over 60% of adults over overweight or obese, and children are following suit. About one-third of kids are considered to be overweight or obese. It is now extremely normal to see overweight kids, when it was relatively uncommon 20 years ago. This is the first generation of kids who are not expected to outlive their parents. They'll experience all the chronic diseases we've set up for them: heart disease, diabetes, cancers, inflammatory conditions, and so many more.

Sit in a crowded area for about an hour, and you'll see the issue. I've watched parents dump junk food and sugar on their kids. Parents will mindlessly give their children sodas, just to keep them quiet. Ever seen a two-year-old with a Mountain Dew? These kids are overweight, hyperactive, and sick. With the way we're treating this issue, we're setting them up to be that way their entire lives. 

Before starting my Master's in Human Nutrition & Functional Medicine, I wanted to go to a very large school for a multidisciplinary health degree. I got in, moved, and started getting in touch with mentors and professors to plan my thesis. I wanted to research childhood injuries. The unnecessary ones caused by overused, training mishaps, and coaches who weren't quite sure what they were doing. 

That idea was immediately rejected by everyone I took it to. "Why don't you look at the older population" and "There's really not a lot of funding in childhood studies". 

Why are we looking to fix a present issue without improving the situation for future generations? What can we do to prevent the problem and help our kids lead a healthier life?