It is no secret that obesity is the biggest health problem of our country. In fact, it is said that, within a decade, the most obese people will be living in USA! This figure includes our children as well. Obesity in children is something to worry about at obese children will have a very unhealthy adulthood and there is full chance that if they don’t change their lifestyle, it will lower the life expectancy! So as a parent you should be aware of how junk foods are bad for your children and you should also make them aware of it. Here are some of the reasons.

-High salt content: Most junk foods are processed foods like chips and are laden with salt. The limit of salt intake for children between 7 to 10 is 5 gm per day but sadly, in average a child of that age has about thrice the amount! This high intake dehydrates his body and if he is not taking enough fluids, it will start hampering his kidneys.

– High sugar content: Children who are suffering from ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) are generally advised to shy away from sugar. But the fact is, even children who are normal should not be allowed to have foods that are high on sugar. Most sweet junk foods like aerated drinks, candies and even sugar coated breakfast cereals are bad for the health of your children. Too much sugar can lead to poor dental health and it is stored in the body in form of fat. If the child is not active physically, this can make him obese within a few months! That in turn will lead to diabetics which can become even life-threatening.

– Too much oil: Junk foods are often cooked in oils that are high in saturated fats which are bad for your health as well as your child’s. Apart from making him fat, they will increase his chance of developing heart problems early in his life. Moreover, such saturated fats are hard to digest and toxins are produced in greater amount when they are digested. These toxins harm all major organs of your child’s body and they will age faster when they grow up.

– No vitamins and minerals: Junk foods don’t have any kind of vitamins and minerals. The process, in which they are cooked, destroys any good nutrients that are there in the ingredients that went into making of those junk foods. But they feel up your child’s stomach and so he doesn’t have space to eat any kind of healthy foods. So his growing years are deprived of nutrients which are vital for healthy growth! Consequently, he may grow up with such problems as weak liver, weak bones and other related health problems.

– Can contain carcinogenic products: Junk foods, especially those which are packaged and processed are often colored brightly to attract children. But these colors and other preservatives are not always good for health; in fact, some of them are quite carcinogenic in nature!

Now that you know the reasons why even the plainest junk food can adversely affect the health of your child, take steps to prevent him (or her) from making it his main diet.

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