The prevalence of obesity in children has grown exponentially in the last few decades. According to 2008 information reported by National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, childhood obesity has tripled in children ages 6 to 11 and more than tripled for ages 12 to 19 in the last 30 years. Some of the causes of morbid obesity in children include, overeating, inactivity, poor food choices, and genetics. Obesity affects all socioeconomic groups, but has a higher rate of incidence in African American and Hispanic children.
Definition
Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a measure of body fat, calculated using height and weight. BMI along with age and sex are used to determine if a child is overweight or obese. The measurement, called the BMI-for-age percentile, compares the child's BMI with other boys or girls of the same age. According to Obesity Action Coalition, a child with a BMI-for-age percentile of 95 percent or greater is considered "obese," while a child with a BMI-for-age percentile of 85 to 95 percent is considered "overweight." Morbid obesity refers to an individual who is 100 or more pounds overweight or has a BMI of 40 or higher.
Causes
There are several causes of morbid obesity in children. Two of the most notable causes include physical inactivity and poor dietary habits. Increased use of computer, increased television watching, and decreased physical activity at school coupled with increased consumption of fast foods, sugary foods and high calorie beverages have contributed to weight gain. Obesity Action Coalition estimates that 20 percent of overweight children are overweight due to excess intake of calories from beverages such as soda.
Risks
Carrying excess weight can have detrimental effects on the body. Medical conditions associated with being overweight or obese include diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, sleep disorders and depression. Morbidly obese children are at a high risk of becoming morbidly obese adults. Furthermore, morbidly obese children are often socially ostracized and ridiculed by their peers because of their weight.
Prevention
Adopting a healthy lifestyle that incorporates physical activity can help prevent morbid obesity in children. Some additional lifestyle changes include decreasing the intake of soda and other sugary drinks, drinking more water, decreasing portion sizes, eliminating or cutting back on fast foods and substituting sugary snacks with fruit. Parents play a major role. They should participate in and role model a healthy lifestyle. Children learn from their parents; the behaviors they develop in childhood are likely to stay with them into adulthood.
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