Millions of American children are either overweight or obese. Unfortunately, the problem of childhood obesity is complicated. It is not caused by one particular thing but rather a variety of societal problems. Childhood obesity needs to be addressed soon because the potential impacts on society and the lives of individuals are severe.
Prevalence of Obesity in Children
According to "American Family Physician," 15 percent of children in the United States were overweight in 2004 and another 15 percent of children in the United States were at risk of being overweight. Being overweight is defined as having a body mass index greater than the 95th percentile based on the Center for Disease Control's growth charts for children. This doesn't necessarily mean that an obese child is bigger than 95 percent of kids his age, but rather, he is heavier than what 95 percent of children his age and height should weigh, according to the CDC.
Health Risks of Obesity
Being overweight or obese can increase the risks of an early death. The National Institute for Health Care Management states that obesity was the second leading cause of preventable death in 2004 and that many obese children may have a shorter lifespan than their parents. Being overweight as a child can also cause depression and even early onset of diabetes.
Financial Consequences
The financial consequences of childhood obesity are also grave. The National Institute for Health Care Management explains that every year it costs about $93 billion dollars to manage obesity-related costs, such as doctor's visits, health screenings and treatments for obesity complications. Children who are overweight cost more to insure than children who are of a healthy weight.
Intervention in Schools
To help combat the problem of obesity in youth, intervention should begin early, in schools. The "American Family Physician" states that school-based nutrition programs, which offer healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, have a significant impact in lowering childhood obesity. Additionally, the National Institute for Health Care Management states that physical activity programs in schools also help to prevent and reduce the prevalence of weight problems.
Parental Intervention
Parents play a large role in shaping their child's lifestyle and health status. This is why parents need to intervene in their children's eating and physical activity habits before they become obese. If your child is already overweight, encourage him to exercise by signing him up for a team sport or exercising with him, such as by going for family walks. Making family meals more nutritious and lower in calories can also help. One way to do this is by increasing the amount of vegetables in family meals and decreasing the use of butter and oils. Switching your child from whole milk to low-fat milk decreases the amount of calories he consumes, which will also help to keep him a healthy weight.
References
- "American Family Physician"; Prevention and Treatment of Overweight in Children and Adolescents; Angela Fowler-Brown, M.D., M.P.H. and Leila C. Kahwati, M.D., M.P.H.; June 2004
- National Institute for Health Care Management: Obesity in Young Children--Impact and Intervention
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Weight for Stature Percentiles--Boys
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