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Introduction
The rising trends in childhood obesity have become a worldwide dilemma that has gained a lot of attention recently from health experts, policy makers, parents and children caretakers. There is much concern that children who are obese in their toddler age will lead to obese and overweight adults with varying health problems, leading to overall health costs. United States has suffered the most from this epidemic. According to a study performed by American Stroke Association, around 24 million children are overweight in age bracket of 2 to 9 years out of which 33% are boys, and 30% are girls. (American Stroke Association, p.1) The occurrence of obesity in childhood is common and has increased dramatically in America with the increase of three-fold in rate during three decades. The crucial point to note here is that the rise in obesity trend is substantial in all races, socioeconomic groups, and gender with high prevalence in racial and socioeconomic disparities. (Singh, p.40)
Who is affected the most?
The two major groups affected the most due to the rising trend in childhood obesity are the socioeconomic group and an ethnic group. It is important to note that socio-economic status is considered a powerful indicator of childhood obesity in United States and has an inverse relationship between household income and obesity trend. Children that belong to low-income or poor families are more obese than children who belong to middle-upper class earning families (Ali, p.81) Children who belong to less educated families have three times more obesity trend than other income bracket family groups. According to American Stroke Association, the trend in children obesity is more rampant in families with low education and income with higher unemployment levels. (American Stroke Association, p.1)
Another dataset presented by the same association as mentioned above in 2011 stated that Alaskan Native / American Indian children have an obesity rate of 18%, whereas 15% of Hispanic children were overweight along with 11% of non-Hispanic whites and 9% of Asian children. (American Stroke Association, p.1)
Causes of Obesity in Children
The childhood obesity is prevalent in children of families who follow hectic work schedules and mostly focus on providing junk food, beverages, and pre-prepared food to their children. Children tend to become obese when their calorie intake is more; they watch more television due to which their physical exercise and other activities are less. Genetic factors also play a significant role in obesity in children. (Centers for Disease, pp.2565)
Health Risks Associated with Childhood Obesity
Children who are obese in their childhood can have considerable health issues are compared to health and normal weight children. The health risks may include: (Biro, p.1499)
- Problem of high blood pressure that can cause risk factors to cause cardiovascular disease (CVD) and high cholesterol in adults. In a study conducted by Biro, more than 70% of obese children are prone to CVD risks.
- Risk of increase in impaired glucose tolerance and type two diabetic issues.
- Asthma and other breathing problems
- Gastro problems, gallstones, and fatty liver issue.
- Joint problems.
- Social and psychological problems are highly prevalent in obese children and adults.
Prevention of childhood obesity
The most effective treatment for any health problem is prevention strategy, and this can begin after birth of a baby. According to various studies, children who are breast-fed have a relatively lower rate of obesity as compared to children who are formula-fed. It is important that children must gain weight, but the weight gain should be in proportion to age and gain in height and an adequate of fat cells are essential in the human body. (Barlow, pp.164-170) It is important to note that baby fat is important in baby and the absence is an issue but an infant becomes a toddler and a toddler becomes a child and there is a prominent difference between healthy weight gain and gain that is leading to obesity. Until adolescence, children are unable to choose and purchase food for themselves, and it is mostly their adults doing it for them. Hence preventing obesity is in the hands of adults and requires careful selection of food items and beverages for school and home use. (Barlow, pp.164-170)
The fast food and soft drink beverage is an easy option to provide to children in families who have busy schedules, and most of this is obesity-promoting food. A careful amount of time should be given to a child’s meal with a selection of carbohydrates, sugar, fatty food, grains, and proteins. (Centers for Disease, pp.2563) Parents and caretakers of a child should make sure that the baby is fed homemade food more as compared to junk and prepared food items that are not good for health. (Barlow, p.175)
It is important to note that prevention and treating child obesity is the same in its dealing with child obesity and prevention is better than cure. We know that parents control the food intake and type of food given to a child, and a variety of healthy foods can maintain a healthy body and immune system. A modest amount of adipose tissues should be present in children, as a child with BMI less than 20 is considered unhealthy and underweight. (Barlow, pp.176-180)
Schools and family lifestyle play a significant role in promoting the control of obesity. If these support healthy lifestyles and provide balanced, nutritious consumption to children with age appropriate physical activities, different exercise along with a proper amount of sleep will help to prevent or control rising trend in obesity rate. (Barlow, pp.190) Successful management of school intervention program to control obesity is provision of effective physical exercise and activities, healthy meal planner, encouragement to drink water instead of beverage or juice and after school activities that will help in controlling obesity.
Primary key to preventing and treat long-term obesity requires respect and awareness for the choices a child enjoys. This way he will be motivated to remain in good shape and health. Sitting time especially in front of TV should be reduced, and activity that is more physical should be encouraged – be it outdoor sports or indoor games. There are families that are genetically obese, should maintain a healthy lifestyle, and balanced eating to decrease the negative impact of obesity on their children. (Barlow, pp.190)
Conclusion
The rising trends in childhood obesity have become a worldwide dilemma that has gained a lot of attention recently from health experts, policy makers, parents and children caretakers. The occurrence of obesity in childhood is common and has increased dramatically in America with the increase of three-fold in rate during three decades. An important point to note here is that the rise in obesity trend is substantial in all races, socioeconomic groups, and gender with high prevalence in racial and socioeconomic disparities. Schools and family lifestyle play a significant role in promoting the control of obesity.
Work Cited
Ali, A., and Crowther, N. “Factors predisposing to obesity: A review of the literature.
American Stroke Association “Overweight and Obesity” Statistical Fact Sheet, p.1, (2013) http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heartpublic/@wcm/@sop/@smd/documents/downloadable/ucm_319588.pdf.
Barlow SE and the Expert Committee. Expert committee recommendations regarding the prevention, assessment, and treatment of child and adolescent overweight and obesity: summary report. Pediatrics;120 Supplement (December 2007):S164—S192.
Biro FM, Wien M. Childhood obesity and adult morbidities. Am J Clin Nutr (May 2010);91(5): p.1499.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “Trends in the Prevalence of Extreme Obesity Among US Preschool Aged Children Living in Low-Income Families 1998-2010, JAMA. (2012); 308 (24): 2563-2565.
Singh GK, Siahpush M, Kogan MD “Rising social inequalities in US childhood obesity, 2003-2007” Ann Epidemiol (2010);20(1): pp.40-52.
