The United States is currently facing an epidemic with our youth. U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, MD, called obesity the greatest threat to public health today. Dr. Carmona cites the fact that obesity and its accompanying illnesses kill more Americans every year than AIDS, all cancers and all accidents combined. And it’s causing problems in children that were unthinkable 20 years ago.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, data from two National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (1976-1980 and 2003-2004) show that the prevalence of overweight children is increasing. The prevalence of obesity has doubled for preschool children aged 2-5 years, more than doubled for adolescents aged 12-19 years and tripled for children aged 6-11 years.
While throughout the world the incidence of childhood obesity is increasing, it is especially noticeable in children who live in industrialized nations. This increase in childhood obesity correlates with the increase in sedentary lifestyles and convenience eating found in these countries. Experts point out that worldwide, people who are obese now outnumber those who are undernourished or starving.1
Several factors contribute to the development of childhood obesity. There are certain genetic and hormonal causes of obesity that can be ruled out by a health care professional. Genetics may play an additional role in the development of obesity. Children who come from a family of overweight people may be predisposed to developing obesity, especially if environmental factors such as high-calorie foods and inactivity are also present. However, most children acquire excess weight by eating too much and exercising too little. If a child eats more calories than he expends through activity and normal growth, the excess calories are stored and the child gains weight.
Parents often ask what factors increase a child’s risk of becoming obese. Again, diet and exercise have a big impact on weight gain. A regular diet of high-calorie foods such as fast foods, sugary drinks and processed snack foods can contribute to weight gain. These high calorie foods, which are often full of processed sugars, provide a lot of calories with less nutritional benefit.
When excess calories are combined with a sedentary lifestyle, weight gain occurs. Children who spend a lot of time on the computer or long hours watching television and playing video games are not burning calories through physical activity. Overeating may occur in response to psychological factors such as stress or boredom. Children from minority or low-income backgrounds have also been shown to have a higher risk of becoming overweight.
Childhood obesity can lead to serious health problems that may follow children into adulthood. Children who are overweight are at a higher risk of developing several health problems such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, sleep disorders, dyslipidemia, orthopedic problems and early puberty. Children may also face social and emotional struggles as a result of being overweight. They may face bullying from their peers and as a result develop low self-esteem. These children may have more anxiety and stress that can interfere with learning and academic performance. Low self-esteem, anxiety and stress may eventually lead to depression.2
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What can be done to help prevent children from becoming overweight or prevent obesity from continuing as the child grows? Parents can help their children by balancing their caloric intake with their activity and growth. The child’s health care provider can help by calculating each child’s Body Mass Index (BMI) which compares a child’s weight and height. This ratio is then compared to that of other children of the same sex and age. Children who have a BMI-for-age between 85th and 95th percentiles are at risk for being overweight and children who have BMI-for-age over the 95th percentile are considered overweight.3
Obesity is approached differently in children of different ages. Children under seven years old, who have no other health concerns, are usually encouraged to maintain or grow-into their weight. However, this may be as difficult as trying to lose weight. Weight loss is recommended for children over seven years old or for children who are younger but do have health concerns.
Before beginning a weight loss program, it should always be discussed with the child’s health care provider and weight loss should be done slowly averaging anywhere from one pound per week to one pound per month depending on the child involved. During any diet, children need to maintain energy balance at a healthy weight while protecting health, growth and development.3
Healthy living is most successful when the whole family becomes involved. When shopping for food, it is important to choose fruits and vegetables over foods high in sugar and fat and to limit sweetened beverages such as soda and fruit juices. Foods that contain whole grains are preferred over those containing bleached or refined flour. Sitting down for meals as a family, rather than eating in front of the television can help reduce mindless eating.
Families should also reduce the frequency of meals eaten outside of the home, especially at fast food restaurants. Emphasizing activities such as playing outside, bicycle riding and swimming while reducing the time spent at sedentary activities such as playing video or computer games and watching television is also beneficial.2
While all children need to feel love and support from their parents, overweight children are at increased risk of low self-esteem and need to know that their parents support them. It is important for parents to take advantage of every opportunity to build their child’s self-esteem. Parents can help their children by finding reasons to praise them and by encouraging them to talk about their feelings. Children also benefit when their parents help them set goals and celebrate with them when the goals are achieved.
Childhood obesity is a serious problem with many health ramifications. The prevalence of overweight children and adults can be reduced as families focus on healthier lifestyles through a balanced diet and increased activity. It is also important that families work together with their health care providers to achieve their wellness goals. With a few changes, our children can look forward to a healthier future.
1Ogden CL, Flegal KM, Carroll, MD, Johnson CL. Prevalence and Trends in Overweight Among U.S. Children and Adolescents, 1999-2000. JAMA. 2002;288:1728-1732.
2U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The Surgeon General?s Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity. November 27, 2007.
3American Academy of Pediatrics. Prevention of Pediatric Overweight and Obesity. Pediatrics. 2003:112:424-430. |
