Childhood Obesity Epidemic
There is an obesity epidemic in the United States. This means that the number of people suffering from obesity has increased steadily in recent years. The root of this problem is often blamed on childhood obesity. According to recent data from the National Center for Health Statistics, approximately one child of every five in the U.S. suffers from obesity.
First, let’s cover what it means to be overweight.
You may think that you can look at someone and tell if they’re overweight, but this is not always true. In fact, obesity is not diagnosed simply by looking at someone, but by taking into account our individual body shape and then measuring our body mass index (BMI), which is calculated using a person’s weight and height. BMI gives an estimate of the amount of body fat relative to lean body mass.
What causes childhood obesity?
There is evidence that ties obesity to genetic factors, but personal behavior and dietary habits are probably the most important factors. Childhood obesity is often the result of children gorging themselves with an increasing amount of calories, especially calories from fat, than they need a day.
What are the complications of childhood obesity?
Besides the social difficulties, and the emotional issues that arise from thus, childhood obesity puts children at risk of health problems such as orthopedic problems, sleep disturbances, menstruation problems and diabetes. Some researchers have also suggested at a link between childhood obesity and asthma. In addition, children who suffer from childhood obesity are also more likely to suffer develop high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, arthritis, and certain kinds of cancers as adults.
Childhood obesity can also increase chances of being bullied and lead to a life of obesity. The obesity epidemic has extensive personal consequences and, inevitably, significant financial implications as well.
What can be done?
If you suspect your child suffers from childhood obesity, contact their pediatrician. Your child’s BMI will be compared with national growth charts to decide if he will be diagnosed with obesity. Your doctor will then suggest a target weight for your child.
Next, it’s time to sit down together as a family and make a plan. The whole family must be involved, especially if parents or siblings also suffer from obesity. Remember, the child does not make decisions regarding family meals and activities. In addition, refrain from approaching the problem with a “you are fat and need to lose weight” approach, but attempt to convey the idea that “we all need to eat right and be active so that we can be healthy.”
In addition to any changes made at home, be sure that the fight against obesity does not end the minute your child steps into school.
Schools have a responsibility to help students avoid obesity by encouraging them to become more active and eat better. The following are reasons why schools are having such a tough time battling obesity:
1. Soda and snack machines along with snack bars boast impressive financial incentives from their suppliers.
2. School districts “in the red” are hard pressed for resources to create quality phys-ed programs
3. Increasing demand for higher academic achievement in core subjects
The rate of childhood obesity has skyrocketed since the 1980′s. While the immediate impacts are worrisome, the long-term effects on sustainable health care, general well-being and quality of life are profound. Obesity is a full-blown epidemic and it needs attention now.