Is a Preventable Illness Childhood Obesity Is a Preventable Illness

Eye Opening Statistics It is estimated that 12.5 million ( 17%) of children between the ages of 2-19 are obese. After 1980, the obesity rate in adolescents and children has nearly tripled. If the current trend continues, one third of children born in or after 2000 will be affected by diabetes within their lifetime. They will also suffer from other obesity-related issues like hypertension and heart disease.

Eye Opening Statistics Researchers have found that obese children often face discrimination from adults and are not readily accepted by their peers. They also have been shown to have more difficulty with interpersonal relationships and are less involved in social and group activities. Researchers have demonstrated that childhood obesity leads to lower self esteem and a greater sense of failure which can impede academic achievement. Studies have shown that students who are physically fit miss fewer days of school and perform better on standardized tests. Active students also have fewer disciplinary issues.

How Did We Get here? Today, children’s lifestyles are different. Children often take the bus or ride in a car instead of walking to school. Children between the ages of 8 to 18 spend approximately 7.5 hours a day playing video games, and using computers, cellular phones, and watching television. 89.4% of high schools, 71.3% of middle schools, and 32.7% of elementary schools have vending machines or some other place for students to purchase drinks or snack foods.

How Did We Get here? We lead busy lives and eat fewer meals at home. It is also very common to snack between meals. Children used to eat just one snack each day, now it is not uncommon to have three snacks, which adds an additional 200 calories to the daily total. Some children have as many as six snacks in a day. Portion sizes are now two to five times larger than they were thirty years ago.

What Can I Do as a Parent? Teach good eating habits from a very young age. Provide them with healthy, low-fat snacks, encourage physical activity and limit the time spent using entertainment media. Avoid using food as a reward or to make them feel better after a disappointment or loss. Set a good example. A child’s risk for obesity as an adult is doubled if one or more parents is obese.

What Can I Do as a Parent ? Help your children learn to listen to their body and understand the signals that tell them if they are full or need to eat. Encourage your children to try a variety of foods and eat in moderation. Avoid making them “clean their plate” or continue to eat when they are truly full. Studies have shown there is a direct correlation between obesity and the length of time spent watching television, so limit television viewing time.

Resources Priscilla Spencer. (1999). Obesity in Children. National Association of School Psychologists. James B. Hunt. (2008). Childhood Obesity and Academic Outcomes. Hunt Institute. SHPPS. (2006). Foods and Beverages Sold Outside of the School Meals Programs. School Health Policies and Programs Study. The Cooper Institute. (2009). Physically fit students more likely to do well in school and less likely to be disciplinary Problems. Texas Education Agency.