Childhood obesity is on the rise, and it’s one of the most serious issues facing children in America today. As an expecting parent, it’s important to know how to recognize childhood obesity as early as possible and take steps to prevent it from getting worse so your child can stay healthy into adulthood. This guide will cover everything you need to know about childhood obesity including its causes, warning signs, treatment options, and more.
Childhood obesity has reached alarming levels in the United States. More than one third of children and adolescents in the U.S are obese or overweight, and many more are at risk of becoming obese in the near future if they continue along this path.
While many factors contribute to childhood obesity (too much time spent watching TV and playing video games, not enough time spent playing sports, unhealthy school lunches), there are some things that you can do as a parent to help your child maintain a healthy weight throughout his or her childhood years.
What is childhood obesity?
Childhood obesity is a condition where a child has an excess amount of body fat. This can lead to serious health problems, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Obese children are also at risk for social and emotional problems, such as low self-esteem and bullying. They are less likely to be accepted by their peers, and they may struggle with depression or anxiety.
So, where does it come from? Childhood obesity is caused by genetic factors, environment (in the home or school), behavior (e.g., eating habits), or a combination of these factors. Some of the common causes are poor diet — children who eat a lot of processed food, sugar and/or calories. Fast food can be one of these.
Children who do not get enough nutrition may also have an unhealthy diet. The best way to prevent childhood obesity is through early identification and education about healthy lifestyles. Parents should encourage kids to eat nutritious foods, drink water instead of sugary drinks, get exercise every day, set a good example for healthy living in front of their kids, keep screen time under two hours per day, etc.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years. In the United States, approximately 17% of children and adolescents are obese. Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that can have an impact on a child’s health and well-being both now and into adulthood.
Approximately 17% of children and adolescents in America are obese. That’s about 12.7 million children between ages 2-19 years old, as well as an additional 1.3 million adolescents between ages 10-19 years old. What does that mean? Overweight or obese kids are at a greater risk for serious health conditions including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type-2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Childhood obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 95th percentile for age and gender. BMI is a measurement of body fat based on height and weight that applies to most men, women, and children older than age 2 years.
Causes
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years.There are many factors that contribute to childhood obesity. Some of these include:
- Unhealthy eating habits — Children who consume high-calorie, low-nutrient foods are more likely to become obese.
- Lack of physical activity — A sedentary lifestyle can lead to weight gain.
- Genetics — Some children are genetically predisposed to becoming obese, so they may have a greater risk of developing health problems associated with obesity.
- Medications — Some drugs and medications can cause weight gain, especially if they are used long-term or in high doses.
- Family environment — Children who live in an unhealthy home environment are more likely to become obese. For example, having a parent who is obese or mentally ill can increase your child’s risk of becoming overweight.
- Inadequate sleep — Children who do not get enough sleep are more likely to be overweight or obese, according to a 2011 study published in Pediatrics. This is most likely because children who don’t get enough sleep consume more calories and tend to eat higher-calorie foods than those who get adequate rest.
- Insufficient physical education — According to a study published in April 2013 in Pediatrics, children who are enrolled in physical education (PE) classes on a regular basis have a lower body mass index (BMI) than those who do not participate in PE at all.
- Genetics — Children who have parents with a BMI of 30 or higher are more likely to become obese than children whose parents are not obese, according to a study published in 2012 in PLOS ONE. This suggests that genetics may play a role in childhood obesity. When both parents are obese, their child has an 80 percent greater risk of being overweight or obese, compared with children whose parents have normal weight.
Effects on body and mind
Childhood obesity can have major effects on a child’s body. It can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. It can also cause sleep problems, such as sleep apnea. And it puts children at risk for social and emotional problems, such as low self-esteem and depression. In addition to its physical effects, childhood obesity can also lead to academic problems. Studies have shown that obese children are more likely to have lower grades and are less likely than their peers to graduate from college.
Children who are obese also have a greater risk of becoming obese adults. Studies have shown that as many as 70% of obese children will become obese adults, meaning that childhood obesity can affect an individual for a lifetime. As young people gain weight, their health often gets worse and they can develop new, more serious health problems. These risks increase dramatically when there is a family history of obesity.
Childhood obesity can have serious, long-term effects on health. It is also linked with a number of other childhood health problems. Many children who are obese have trouble sleeping because they are overweight or because they are taking certain medications prescribed by their doctors. Some studies have shown that these sleep problems may make it harder for kids to pay attention in school, which can affect their grades and lead to academic problems down the road.
Eating foods high in sugar and fat can also lead to weight gain. Excess body fat can cause breathing problems, such as sleep apnea, which can make it hard for children to get a good night’s sleep. And it puts kids at risk for other serious health problems, such as high blood pressure, cholesterol levels that are higher than normal, and type-2 diabetes. In addition, many parents worry about how excess weight may affect their child’s social life.
There are many ways to prevent childhood obesity. First, avoid offering sugary and high-fat foods in your home. Instead, focus on providing a healthy diet for your family. And encourage kids to participate in physical activity by enrolling them in sports or other activities that involve exercise. Finally, watch out for signs of childhood obesity and make sure your child sees his or her doctor regularly so that he or she can be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
If your child is overweight, take him or her to see a doctor right away. Your child’s doctor can help you find ways to improve your family’s diet and increase physical activity. And he or she can also help you set realistic goals for losing weight and improving health. Talk with your child about his or her feelings as well, since obesity can have a big impact on self-esteem. Working together as a family will give you an important advantage in managing and preventing childhood obesity.
Diagnosis
Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents. It occurs when a child is well above the normal weight for their age and height. A diagnosis of childhood obesity is made when a child’s body mass index (BMI) is at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and gender.
A medical diagnosis of childhood obesity means that a child’s body fat percentage is higher than it should be. This can happen when there is an imbalance between caloric intake and energy used by physical activity and metabolism. Being overweight or obese at a young age can increase your risk for several health problems, such as high blood pressure, cholesterol levels and high glucose levels in children.
Children may be at risk for childhood obesity if they have a family history of high cholesterol or diabetes, and even if their parents or other members of their extended family are overweight. Children who are overly sedentary (e.g., not active in sports, school or daily activities) or eat too much sugar can also be at risk for obesity.
Childhood obesity can be treated with a combination of healthy eating, exercise and behavioral therapy. Treatment will vary based on a child’s age, weight and activity level. In extreme cases, overweight children may need counseling or medication as part of their treatment plan. Children should also see their pediatrician for regular checkups and screening tests for heart disease and diabetes.
Having a diagnosis of childhood obesity can be overwhelming. Talk with your child’s pediatrician about ways you can help your child achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Also talk with family members and friends to help support your child’s health. Parents who are overweight or obese should also seek treatment for their own health issues, so they can set an example for their children.
Treatment options
Children who are obese are at risk for developing serious health problems. Some of these health problems include type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea. While there is no one cure for childhood obesity, there are treatments that can help. These treatments include lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. Medications may also be used in some cases. Surgery is an option for some children who are obese, but it is usually only considered when other treatments have not worked.
Medications are only used in cases of severe obesity. These medications are not safe for long-term use and have many side-effects. Surgery is considered for patients with a BMI over 40, or a BMI over 35 if they also have medical complications. The most common surgery is gastric bypass surgery, which makes the stomach smaller so that less food can be eaten at one time. This surgery results in weight loss by making it harder to eat large portions of food at one time.
In most cases, medications and surgeries are used as a last resort. Other treatment options include lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. These treatments may be more effective in children because they are easier to enforce than diet and exercise alone. A healthy diet can help your child lose weight if he or she is overweight by limiting his or her calorie intake and ensuring that he or she is getting all of their nutritional needs met.
Getting regular exercise can also help your child lose weight. Exercise should be a routine part of your child’s day, and it can be incorporated into his or her activities as much as possible. This means that you should get your child involved in physical activities such as soccer, ballet, and karate lessons at an early age so that he or she will be used to exercising throughout his or her life.
Having your child participate in sports is another way to help him or her stay active. This will encourage your child to exercise regularly and build healthy habits for life. You should also encourage your child to walk or bike instead of taking public transportation, if possible. If you do drive your child around, try parking further away from where you are going so that he or she has an extra incentive to get out and move around after arriving at their destination.
If your child struggles with his or her weight, you should create a healthy environment in your home. This includes getting rid of unhealthy foods and drinks such as candy, soda, and fast food. Instead, replace these foods with fruits and vegetables so that your child is exposed to healthier food options. You should also let your child help you shop for groceries so that he or she can see what goes into a healthy meal.
When helping your child lose weight, it is important that you set a good example. This means that you should lead by example by eating healthy and exercising regularly. If your child sees you taking care of yourself and being active, he or she will be more likely to follow in your footsteps. Exercise doesn’t have to be difficult, either.
The best exercise is activity that you enjoy. If you like running, go for a run every morning. If you enjoy playing basketball, shoot some hoops in your backyard after dinner. Whatever activities you choose, try to do them on a regular basis and push yourself each time so that you can get more out of your workouts.
Take away
Childhood obesity is a serious problem that can have many negative consequences. Some of the causes of childhood obesity include poor diet and lack of physical activity. Childhood obesity can lead to health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. Treatment for childhood obesity may include lifestyle changes and medication. It is important to talk to your child’s doctor if you are concerned about their weight. It is never too late to stop or reverse childhood obesity. If you have children, it is important that you take steps now to make sure they are as healthy as possible so they can live a long and happy life. The best way to do that is by setting a good example, eating right, and getting physical activity every day.
If you have any questions about childhood obesity, talk to your doctor or a dietitian. Together, you can prevent childhood obesity and help your child grow up healthy. If you have an infant, talk to your doctor about steps you can take now to ensure that your child is as healthy as possible and does not become obese.