Obesity in preschool-aged children has doubled in the last 20 years. In general, preschoolers aged 2 to 5 with a Body Mass Index at or above the 95th percentile fall into the obesity epidemic. Obesity affects preschoolers from all backgrounds, and can lead to more serious medical conditions, including Type 2 diabetes.
Prevalence
The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey first measured obesity rates in preschool children aged 2 to 5 in 1976 to 1980. At that time, the rate was only 5 percent. By the 2007 to 2008 survey, the rate rose to 10.4 percent. Comparatively, in the 2007 to 2008 survey, 19.6 percent of children aged 6 to 11 were obese, and 18.1 percent of children aged 12 to 18 were obese. The obesity rate for preschool children peaked at 13.9 percent in 2003 to 2004 and then declined for the next two surveys.
Causes
Genetics and medical conditions can contribute to childhood obesity, but too little exercise and too much of the wrong foods play a bigger role in the obesity epidemic. High-calorie foods and drinks -- especially those high in sugar and fat -- cause obesity. Children need to exercise to burn off those calories, but many preschoolers spend too much time watching the television, playing a computer game or hand-held gaming device. Additionally, preschoolers have less time for physical activity because they spend more time in daycare or school, compared to the 1980s. Some preschoolers may overeat or snack on unhealthy foods when they feel stressed from problems in the home or at daycare or preschool.
Trends
Income-level, ethnicity and geography may contribute to obesity levels in preschool-aged children. According to the 1998 to 2008 Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System data, one out of every seven low-income preschooler aged two to four was obese. However, American Indians and Alaska Natives were the only ethnic groups with increasing rates between 2003 and 2008. Among low-income preschoolers aged two to four in 2009, California, Texas, South Dakota, the central and north eastern seaboard, and some Appalachian states had the highest rates. Regardless of socio-economic background, compared to Caucasians and African Americans, Hispanic children had the highest prevalence of obesity among three-year-olds, cites a study in the June 2006 "Archives of Pediatric Medicine."
Prevention
Promoting daily physical activity and healthy eating helps prevent obesity in preschool-age children. Preschoolers should stay active and never sit for longer than 60 minutes. Preschoolers need free playtime, as well as some structured, adult-led activities. Give preschoolers plenty of opportunities to run around throughout the day, allowing them to get sweaty and increase their breathing rate. Limit preschoolers screen time to less than two hours a day, including TV, video games and computers. Set a good example by eating right yourself, and make family mealtime a priority. For picky eaters, cut foods into fun shapes, and present a variety of fruits and vegetables, letting the children decide which new foods to try.
References
- KidsHealth: Overweight and Obesity
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "NCHS Health E-Stat"; Prevalence of Obesity Among Children and Adolescents: United States, Trends 1963--1965 Through 2007--2008; Cynthia Ogden, et al.; June 2010
- MayoClinic.com: Childhood Obesity: Risk Factors
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Overweight and Obesity
- "Preventing Chronic Disease"; Childhood Obesity --- What We Can Learn From Existing Data on Societal Trends, Part 1; Roland Sturm; January 2005
- "Archives of Pediatric Medicine"; Obesity Among US Urban Preschool Children; Robert C. Whitaker, et. al; June 2006
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