Introduction to Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is becoming evermore present and common in the United States. Children above the 95th percentile for Body Mass Index (BMI) or weight to height ratio, are considered overweight. In the past 20 years obesity rates among children ages 6-11 have more than doubled, and for adolescents ages 12-19 the rate have more than tripled. Obesity, the result of eating more calories than are burned off, has many contributing factors such as behavior, environment, and genetics. Some of these factors include not getting enough active play, increasing hours of television and video game consumption, poor diet, large amounts of fast food, increasing portion sizes, fear of crime and increased number of single-parent households or homes where both parents are working, which prevents outdoor exercise.

Prevalence of Overweight* Among U.S. Children and Adolescents
(Aged 2 –19 Years)
National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys

*Sex-and age-specific BMI > 95th percentile based on the CDC growth charts

Children who are highly overweight bare greater risk for many physical, social, and psychological problems, such as bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and poor self-esteem during childhood, and heart disease, type 2 disbetes, stroke, cancer, and osteoarthritis in adulthood if they remain obese.

Childhood obesity not only increases the risk of health problems, but decreases the individual's quality of life. Although there are many factors leading to obesity, the healthiest and most efficient way to lose weight and decrease health risks is through increased activity and incorporating a more balanced and varied eating plan.

information retrieved from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov)