With childhood obesity more than tripling since the 1980s and First Lady Michelle Obama joining the fight against it, it is clear that obesity in children is a national problem. It is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex. Its prevalence among children aged 6 to 11 has increased from 6.5 percent in 1980 to 19.6 percent in 2008. In adolescents aged 12 to 19, it has increased from 5.0 percent to 18.1 percent.
Causes
According to the Helpguide website, most cases of childhood obesity are caused by eating too much and exercising too little. The following factors contribute to this trend: families are busy, cook less and eat out more; high-calorie fast and junk foods are easily accessible; food portions have grown larger over the years, in restaurants and in homes; children spend less time actively playing outside and more time indoors with TV, computers and video games; and many schools have cut back or eliminated physical education programs.
Research
A study done in Israel and published in "Pediatrics" magazine in 2005 examined the short and long-term effects of a three-month combined dietary-behavioral-physical activity intervention on anthropometric measures, body composition, dietary and leisure-time habits, fitness and lipid profiles in 46 obese subjects. At three months they found significant differences in changes in body weight, BMI, body fat percentage, serum total cholesterol levels, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and fitness in the intervention group. After one year there were still significant differences between the intervention and control groups in body weight and body fat percentage. There was also an increase in leisure-time physical activity in the intervention group and a decrease in the control group.
Health Risks of Obesity in Childhood
Overweight and obesity are major risk factors for several chronic diseases, according to the Center for Health and Health Care in Schools. The incidence of new-onset asthma is higher among overweight children, with boys having an increased risk. Obesity in youth is linked to an increase in type 2 diabetes, which can lead to blindness, heart disease, kidney disease and loss of limbs. Overweight children are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Obstructive sleep apnea, a breathing disorder, is found in 17 percent of obese children and adolescents. Overweight children have decreased levels of self-esteem and are more likely to smoke and drink alcohol, as well as report feeling sad and lonely.
How Parents Can Help
The Health in Schools website says parents can help by being a good example. Eat fruits, vegetables and whole grains with meals or as snacks. Go shopping together and discuss where foods come from. Get creative in the kitchen and encourage your child to invent new, healthy snacks. Reward with attention, not sweets. Talk about fun and happy things at mealtime and make meals stress-free. If your child is hungry, offer a small, healthy snack. Limit TV time to no more than two hours per day. Make physical activity fun. Walk, run and play with your child. Try new foods yourself and offer them to your child.
References
- CDC: Childhood Obesity
- Helpguide.org: Childhood Obesity and Overweight Kids
- "Pediatrics"; Short-and Long-Term Beneficial Efects of a Combined Dietary-Behavioral-Physical Activity Intervention for the Treatment of Childhood Obesity; Dan Nemet, MD, et al; April, 2005
- The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools: Childhood Overweight
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