It has been known for some time that obese children are at a greater risk of developing hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and arthritis than non-obese children.
However, a recent complementary medicine research study from the University of Iowa has added another concern to the list: pedestrian injury!
One may think that this is due to obese children crossing the roads slower than others, but this is not the case.
The research published in the 2016 February edition of Accident Analysis and Prevention determined that the reason for the increased rate of pedestrian injury in the obese children cohort was due to deficiencies in executive functioning tasks, such as:
• Planning
• Organising
• Memory and;
• Time management
The researchers concluded that children with higher BMI’s presented more impulsive and uninhibited behaviours during the ‘traffic crossing simulation’ experimental setting.
Whilst further research is required to confirm these findings, it seems highly likely that if a child suffers from cardiovascular disorders this could well extend to cerebral circulation disorders, thus effecting executive functioning tasks. Consequently, these findings from the University of Iowa are not surprising!
Furthermore, this observation adds to the growing body of evidence regarding the dangers of childhood obesity.
Whilst conventional healthcare interventions are making inroads into addressing reducing childhood obesity, this still remains an ‘out of control’ epidemic. As obesity is a complex issue, it does require an integrative healthcare solution that encompasses the physical and emotional treatment of over-eating and under-exercising to produce better outcomes.
This holistic approach incorporates:
• Food and nutrition advice for both parents and children
• Lifestyle advice
• Mindfulness-based Interventions
• Health promotion and;
• Preventive Care
This approach is essential for effective treatment and prevention of childhood obesity, but this will require substantially increased government funding at the local and national level to provide these services.
However, a recent complementary medicine research study from the University of Iowa has added another concern to the list: pedestrian injury!
One may think that this is due to obese children crossing the roads slower than others, but this is not the case.
The research published in the 2016 February edition of Accident Analysis and Prevention determined that the reason for the increased rate of pedestrian injury in the obese children cohort was due to deficiencies in executive functioning tasks, such as:
• Planning
• Organising
• Memory and;
• Time management
The researchers concluded that children with higher BMI’s presented more impulsive and uninhibited behaviours during the ‘traffic crossing simulation’ experimental setting.
Whilst further research is required to confirm these findings, it seems highly likely that if a child suffers from cardiovascular disorders this could well extend to cerebral circulation disorders, thus effecting executive functioning tasks. Consequently, these findings from the University of Iowa are not surprising!
Furthermore, this observation adds to the growing body of evidence regarding the dangers of childhood obesity.
Whilst conventional healthcare interventions are making inroads into addressing reducing childhood obesity, this still remains an ‘out of control’ epidemic. As obesity is a complex issue, it does require an integrative healthcare solution that encompasses the physical and emotional treatment of over-eating and under-exercising to produce better outcomes.
This holistic approach incorporates:
• Food and nutrition advice for both parents and children
• Lifestyle advice
• Mindfulness-based Interventions
• Health promotion and;
• Preventive Care
This approach is essential for effective treatment and prevention of childhood obesity, but this will require substantially increased government funding at the local and national level to provide these services.