Impact of Family History

Genetics is a factor in excess weight but it is not the explanation
for the recent epidemic of obesity. While having
obese parents more than doubles a child's risk of being
obese, genetic characteristics of human populations have
not changed in the last two decades, while the prevalence
of obesity has approximately doubled.

Eating Less vs. Moving More

Based on intake and physical activity data, the increase in
the number of obese children is likely the result of a combination
of children and youth eating more calories than
they are using through daily physical activity. Weight gain
results when energy expenditure is consistently exceeded
by energy intake over time. Achieving energy balance is
important for children so that energy intake is equal to
energy expenditure while supporting normal growth and
development without promoting excessive weight gain.
Therefore both are important components in reversing the
obesity trend. More research is needed regarding their relative
contributions to weight gain and obesity prevention.

Obese Statistics

Generally, obesity is associated with the adults. However, at times it can affect the children and adolescents. The cases of child obesity are increasing day by day. There are proven research results to ratify this statement. According to one survey, the number of obese children has doubled during the period of last three decades. Being overweight does not only mean to be over in size but it has certain complications attached to it. The succeeding information will make you understand the facts of Childhood obesity.

• There is alarming increase in the number of children and adolescents developing Type-2 Diabetes (also termed as adult-onset diabetes) due to being overweight.
• The high levels of cholesterol and high blood pressure, that are some of the main risk factors for development of heart diseases, are found in most of the obese children.
• Sleep Apnea (interruption of breath while sleeping) is considered as the most severe problem faced by obese children. In rare cases, this sleep apnea may lead to other problems like difficulty in learning and memory.
• Obese children are on higher risk of developing, liver diseases, orthopedic problems and asthma.
• More than 70% obese adolescents retain their overweight and obese condition even during their adulthood.

Tips for parents, to help children maintain healthy weight

• Support your children to overcome this condition. Never remind the child or single out him about his obese condition. He is well aware about the fact. Child requires encouragement, love and acceptance.
• Prepare a schedule for your child for how much time he should spent in recreational activities (TV or computer) every day.
• You family activities must involve physical exercise. You can motivate your child to undertake activities like walking, jogging, hiking or even washing car or gardening instead of allowing him to spend more time in watching TV or playing computer games.
• Choose activities that are easy and your child will enjoy doing it.
• Never dine in front of television. You must dine together at table. Give adequate time for dinning and enjoy your meals.
• You should not put any restrictions on your child’s diet, unless suggested by your doctor. Never consider food as a punishment or a reward. Food is important for energy, growth and development of child.
  
• Ensure your child’s involvement in grocery shopping and meal planning. This is a way of teaching them and developing their decision making abilities.
• Always keep nutritious snacks like low-fat cheese, fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen or canned), frozen fruit juice bars, yogurt or ice cream, vanilla wafers, graham crackers, fig bars, gingersnaps etc, handy and give them to your child instead of giving high-fat or junk food.
• Try to alter eating habits and activities gradually. Once developed, these habits will help your child to maintain good health throughout lifetime.

Preventing Childhood Obesity: A National Priority

Few studies testing potential solutions within diverse and
complex social and environmental contexts. However, the
health concerns are immediate and warrant urgent preventive
actions. What this report illustrates is that preventing
childhood obesity is a collective responsibility requiring
individual, family, community, corporate, and governmental
commitments. The key will be to implement
changes for this issue from many directions and at multiple
levels, and through collaboration with and between
many sectors.

FAQ about Childhood Obesity

Q: What is Obesity?

A: The rise in childhood obesity is due to complex interactions
across a number of relevant social, environmental,
and policy contexts that influence eating and physical
activity. Over decades, these have collectively created an
adverse environment for maintaining a healthy weight.
This environment is characterized by:
• urban and suburban designs that discourage walking
and other physical activities;
• pressures on families to minimize food costs, acquisition
and preparation time, resulting in frequent consumption
of convenience foods that are high in calories and fat;
• reduced access and affordability in some communities
to fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods;
• decreased opportunities for physical activity at school,
after school, and reduced walking or biking to and from
school; and
• competition for leisure time that was once spent playing
outdoors with sedentary screen time including watching
television or playing computer and video games.



Q: What are immediate risks of obesity to a child's health?

A: Young people are at risk of developing serious psychosocial
burdens related to being obese in a society that stigmatizes
this condition, often fostering shame, self-blame,
and low self-esteem that may impair academic and social
functioning and carry into adulthood. In a populationbased
sample, approximately 60 percent of obese children
aged 5 to 10 years had at least one cardiovascular
disease (CVD) risk factor—such as elevated total cholesterol,
triglycerides, insulin, or blood pressure—and 25
percent had two or more risk CVD risk factors.

Physical, Social, and Emotional Health Consequences
of Obesity in Children and Youth
Physical Health
· Glucose intolerance and insulin resistance
· Type 2 diabetes
· Hypertension
· Dyslipidemia
· Hepatic steatosis
· Cholelithiasis
· Sleep apnea
· Menstrual abnormalities
· Impaired balance
· Orthopedic problems
Emotional Health
· Low self-esteem
· Negative body image
· Depression
Social Health
· Stigma
· Negative stereotyping
· Discrimination
· Teasing and bullying
· Social marginalization

Q: What are Obese Trends?

A: Trends in childhood and youth obesity mirror a similar profound increase over the same approximate period in U.S. adults as well as a concurrent rise internationally, in both developed and developing countries. The obesity epidemic affects both boys and girls and has occurred in the lightest to the heaviest based on their BMI levels from the 1970s, and another line of children were lined up based on their BMIs from the 1990s, approximately the first 25 children in each line would have the same BMI. However, the last 10 (the heaviest) children in the 1990s would be much heavier than his or her counterpart in the 1970s. In adults, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased, meaning that more adults have become overweight or obese and they have become heavier which has shifted the adult BMI curve to the right.

Q: What are the Causes of Childhood Obesity?

A: Causes of Childhood Obesity
The rise in childhood obesity is due to complex interactions
across a number of relevant social, environmental,
and policy contexts that influence eating and physical
activity. Over decades, these have collectively created an
adverse environment for maintaining a healthy weight.
This environment is characterized by:
• urban and suburban designs that discourage walking
and other physical activities;
• pressures on families to minimize food costs, acquisition
and preparation time, resulting in frequent consumption
of convenience foods that are high in calories and fat;
• reduced access and affordability in some communities
to fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods;
• decreased opportunities for physical activity at school,
after school, and reduced walking or biking to and from
school; and
• competition for leisure time that was once spent playing
outdoors with sedentary screen time including watching
television or playing computer and video games.

For more information visit http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/childhood-obesity/DS00698.

Childhood Obesity: Introduction

Welcome to my blog. Childhood Obesity is a serious issue here in the U.S. Environmental factors greatly increase the risks for children who are obese. Over the past three decades, the childhood obesity rate has more than doubled for preschool children aged 2-5 years and adolescents aged 12-19 years, and it has more than tripled for children aged 6-11 years. At present, approximately nine million children over 6 years of age are considered obese.