Facts on Childhood Obesity
Facts on Childhood Obesity
The rate of childhood obesity among children of 6-11 years has tripled and among 2-5 years has doubled... Roughly 1 out of 5 children in the U.S. is obese. Obesity costs the NHS of UK around 1 billion a year and a further 2.3 to 2.6 billion in indirect costs.
This is a serious health condition where excess body fat the child carries affects his well-being, and also a major public health concern due to rising rates among children and adults.
Most children will put on weight as they grow older. This is nothing to be alarmed about, but when this is actually more than what they need for their growth- can lead to childhood obesity. Diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure are no longer limited to adults.
How can you tell if your child is overweight? A health professional calculates the child's BMI and compares with the national average.
BMI- Body mass index is a statistical measurement that compares the child's weight and height. Though it does not actually measure the percentage of body fat, it estimates a healthy body weight based on how tall they are.
Growth charts are used to determine if they fall into 'overweight' or 'obesity' category. Factors like 'child's activity level', 'eating habits', 'family's history of obesity' and 'related health problems, such as diabetes'.
Causes of Childhood Obesity:
Bad nutrition habits and eating too much of junk food.
Lack of exercise: Just like adults, children nowadays live a not so active lifestyle, they are spending too much time in front of computer, TV or video games.
Genetic and hormonal causes: Being genetically predisposed to putting on weight. If the parents are overweight, children are quite likely to become overweight too.
Psychological reasons: Some children overeat to cope with problems or to deal with emotions, such as stress or boredom.
Socioeconomic factors: Children from low-income backgrounds are at greater risk of becoming obese. Poverty and obesity often go hand in hand because low-income parents may lack the time and resources to make healthy eating and exercise a family priority.
Effects on Health:
The first problems to occur are psychological and emotional. Overweight children are more prone to being bullied and they are more likely to suffer from low self-esteem and depression.
Type 2 diabetes used to be known as an adult disease, now it is observed in overweight children too.
Obese children are a lot more likely to develop high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease.
Liver disease.
Risk of early puberty or menarche.
Skin infections.
Insomnia and sleep problems.
Anorexia and bulimia.
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