Childhood Obesity Is On The Rise

Childhood obesity rates are higher than ever and according to national statistics from the CDC (Center for Disease Control), a whopping 2.5 million children in this country qualify as obese. 

Obesity is defined as having a BMI (body mass index), a measurement that uses weight and height to estimate body fat, greater than 30. Aside from many health concerns regarding the issue, an amazing amount of psychological stress can set in from a social aspect as well.

Risk factors, including family history and environmental factors, play a large role in contributing to younger population obesity. Genes passed down from obese parents can affect how much body fat one stores as well as the area of the body that carries the stores. Kids can also pick up parent habits very easily so without conscious efforts to set good examples and create a healthy environment, early weight gain can be inevitable. Filling the house with sodas, chips, cookies and all those yummy high carb processed foods does not make it any easier for a young one to start out on the right foot. Eating out on a regular basis, whether at fast food restaurants or not, can make it more difficult to avoid unhealthy choices. Television, computers and video games are all to blame as well. Quiet time around the house is now much easier to come by with the advent of activities that allow children to increase their sedentary time.

Psychological effects can be especially detrimental for obese children as the social stigma attached can provoke unwanted comments from peers in school or even family members. Repeated attacks can lead to depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. In school, they may not be able to keep up physically with peers in PE class or participate in sports, possibly furthering self-conscious feelings.

Comorbities that accompany obesity in the adult start earlier with obese children and can worsen in severity as aging occurs if not taken care of early on. High cholesterol or blood pressure can cause early onset of heart disease, while high blood sugar levels can lead to early onset of Type II diabetes. Bone and joint problems, along with sleep apnea occur earlier due to from large amounts of weight. Numerous types of cancers have also been linked to excess fat stores.

Unfortunately the predilection for weight gain cannot be altered, but healthy lifestyle changes and eating habits may at least keep excess weight gain at bay.  Keeping junk food out of the house can help curb temptations. Plenty of healthy but tasty recipes are posted every day on the internet to encourage cooking at home versus eating out; thus parents can control the ingredients of what goes into their children’s food. The example of having regular physical activity is extremely vital for parents to set; sign kids up for sports teams, or simply take them to the park to let them run their energy off. A wide variety of options are available for both parents and kids to either battle obesity that has already set in or avoid weight gain from starting at all. 

Childhood obesity is an epidemic that is taking over the country at a staggering rate; therefore, it is up to parents to set the best examples to prevent the terrible epidemic from continuing.