The statistics are clear: The rate of childhood obesity in the United States and elsewhere is at epidemic levels. The World Health Organization describes obesity in children as one of the most serious health issues of the 21st century. Preventing childhood obesity is vital to kids' current health, and also affects their quality of life as adults. Overweight children face a 70 percent chance of remaining overweight into adulthood, according to a 2007 report from the U.S. Office of the Surgeon General.
Contributing Factors
As with obesity in adults, the main childhood obesity culprits are low levels of physical activity and poor diets. Many kids eat high-calorie foods that offer little nutritional value. They grow up in households where eating unhealthy foods is the norm, which makes dietary change a considerable challenge. The popularity of sedentary forms of entertainment, such as surfing the Internet and playing video games, is a major factor in children's lack of exercise. Minors between the ages of eight and 18 spend more than seven hours a day with this type of entertainment, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation study released in January 2010.
Health Consequences
Obese kids face considerable medical and emotional consequences. They are at risk for metabolic syndrome, which is marked by high blood pressure, and high cholesterol and blood sugar. Metabolic syndrome puts children at risk for severe diseases such as type II diabetes and heart disease. Overweight children are also more likely to have sleep problems, asthma and hormonal imbalances. Kids who are obese are at increased risk for depression, anxiety and low self-esteem as a result of bullying and poor social skills.
Economic Consequences
Obesity has a major effect not only on family finances but also the economy as a whole. A 2009 study published in the journal "Health Affairs" estimated that obesity costs the United States $147 billion annually. Health insurance claim costs for obese children are double those of other kids. Obese children have a higher illness rate, which leads to parents missing work and having lower rates of productivity, according to the nonprofit Shaping America's Youth.
Misconceptions
A high rate of childhood obesity is typically associated with the United States and other industrialized nations. However, this public health issue also affects poorer countries. The number of overweight children globally was estimated at 42 million in 2010, according to the World Health Organization. About 35 million of those kids live in developing nations. One of the biggest challenges for these countries is dealing with undernutrition and infectious diseases in addition to increasing rates of obesity and chronic diseases.
References
- World Health Organization: Childhood Overweight and Obesity
- US Department of Health and Human Services: Office of the Surgeon General: Overweight and Obesity Health Consequences
- Kaiser Family Foundation: Daily Media Use Among Children and Teens Up Dramatically From Five Years Ago
- MayoClinic.com: Childhood Obesity
- Shaping American's Youth: Skyrocketing Costs of Obesity
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