Childhood obesity plateaued in 2008, after climbing since the 1970s, according to the Los Angeles Times in the 2008 article "Childhood obesity rate in U.S. hits a plateau." The 2008 levels of childhood obesity are still higher than those in the 1970s. This is perhaps what caused the government to declare that childhood obesity was an epidemic. Michelle Obama has made this her pet issue since becoming First Lady in 2009.
Causes and Consequences
The cause of childhood obesity is an imbalance between calories consumed and calories burned. There are also genetic and environmental factors. A number of far-reaching consequences are linked to childhood obesity. Seventy percent of obese children who participated in a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had high blood pressure, cholesterol, or another risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Overweight and obese children are also at greater risk of sleep apnea, joint problems and adult obesity. The last may lead to Type 2 diabetes, stroke, cancer and heart disease.
Deterrents
Some children suffer from obesity due to genetic and biological factors. However, even those with genetic predispositions can avoid obesity with regular exercise and healthy eating habits. The CDC recommends an hour of exercise per day for children and adolescents. This can be an exercise routine or active play like tag or hide-and-go-seek. Keep healthy snacks on hand such as fresh fruit, carrots and celery. Never punish or reward a child with food. MayoClinic.com recommends that you limit a child's sedentary recreational time to 2 hours per day.
Treatment Strategies
For children under 7, the name of the game is maintaining weight. This is because as the child grows taller and weight remains the same, the child will have a lower body-mass index. Children over the age of 7 and children with health concerns related to being obese or overweight may be candidates for weight loss. You should consult with your child's pediatrician before putting your child on a diet or considering fat blockers or other remedies.
Social Impact
Beyond health problems, there are also social effects for those who suffer from childhood obesity. The Journal of the American Medical Association reported that obese children are at greater risk for poor self-esteem and stigmatization. Nutritionist Jane Schwartz Harrison reports that overweight children also miss more school days and are more likely to commit suicide than other children. Parents concerned about depressed children should talk to a doctor.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Childhood Obesity; Oct. 2010
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Childhood Obesity; June 2010
- :LA Times"; Childhood Obesity Rate in U.S. Hits Plateau; Alan Zarembo; May 2008
- "The Journal of the American Medical Association"; Health-Related Quality of Life of Severely Obese Children and Adolescents; Jeffrey B. Schwimmer, et al.; 2003
- My Optum Health: How Teasing Affects Overweight Children; Jane Schwartz Harrison; Feb. 2010
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: How Much Physical Activity Do Children Need?; May 2010
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