Amanda Shelton Personal Health 12/8/2013

Childhood Obesity has become an overwhelming epidemic in the United States. “Today, about one in three American kids and teens is overweight or obese.” This presentation is designed to inform parents about childhood obesity and the steps they can take to prevent and treat it.

“Obesity means having too much body fat. It is different from being overweight, which means weighing too much. Both terms mean that a person's weight is greater than what's considered healthy for his or her height. Children grow at different rates, so it isn't always easy to know when a child is obese or overweight.” "Obesity in Children: MedlinePlus." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 07 Dec

Children and teens whose BMI-for-age is: In the 95th percentile or higher are considered obese. Between the 85th and less than the 95th percentile are considered overweight. Between the 5th and less than the 85th percentile are considered normal weight. Below the 5th percentile are considered underweight. "Childhood Obesity." Childhood Obesity. American Heart Association, n.d. Web. 06 Dec

Child Obesity Statistics Prevalence of Obesity: Among children ages 6-11, there was a 6.5% rate of obesity in 1980 which increased to 18.6% by Ages increased from 5% to 18.1% in the same time period. Cardiovascular Disease: 70% of obese children from 5-17 years have at least one symptom and risk factor of cardiovascular disease like high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Low-Income Obesity: 1 of 7 low income children in preschool is obese. 13 million children and adolescents in the U.S. are obese. Obese adolescents are 80% more likely to end up as obese adults. Healthcare expenses directly related to childhood obesity are $14 billion every year. "National Childhood Obesity Facts, Figures and the Solution to End the Epidemic." SPARK PE. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Dec

Poor diet- One of the leading causes of childhood obesity is a poor diet. Many children are not receiving nutritious food on a regular basis. There is a fast food restaurant about every block and supermarkets are packed with tempting, unhealthy foods. Unhealthy food such as fast food is cheaper than fresh produce, so income level can also have a contributing factor to nutrition and obesity. Insufficient Exercise- Children are not being as active as they should be. Many Children spend their time in front of a television, playing video games, or behind a computer screen. Children that are lacking in physical activity are at a potential for being overweight and obese. "Leading Causes of Child Obesity." Childrensorg RSS. Childrens, n.d. Web. 05 Dec

Genetic Factors: “are rarely the cause of childhood obesity. Only in specific cases, such as medical disorders, are genetic factors the sole player in childhood weight gain. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention makes a valid point that “the genetic characteristics of the human population [has] not changed in the last three decades, but the prevalence of obesity has tripled among school-aged children during that time.” Environmental Factors- Children’s diets and activity levels are often influenced by their parents, child care providers, and community. If the parent’s diet is unhealthy is likely that the child’s diet will be unhealthy as well. It is important to also consider social influences, such as if the children’s friends are eating junk food, the child will be tempted to eat junk food. Media also influences the consuming of unhealthy food because it is more often advertised opposed to healthy foods. How many fast food advertisements are there compared to fruit and vegetables advertisements? "Leading Causes of Child Obesity." Childrensorg RSS. Childrens, n.d. Web. 05 Dec

Immediate health effects: Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. In a population-based sample of 5- to 17-year-olds, 70% of obese youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease. 7 Obese adolescents are more likely to have pre-diabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels indicate a high risk for development of diabetes. 8,9 Children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem. "Childhood Obesity Facts." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 July Web. 06 Dec

Long-term health effects: Children and adolescents who are obese are likely to be obese as adults and are therefore more at risk for adult health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis. One study showed that children who became obese as early as age 2 were more likely to be obese as adults. Overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk for many types of cancer, including cancer of the breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, kidney, pancreas, gall bladder, thyroid, ovary, cervix, and prostate, as well as multiple myeloma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. "Childhood Obesity Facts." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 July Web. 06 Dec

Treatment for childhood obesity often include changes to the child’s diet and physical activity, but does depend on the child’s age and existing medical condition. Obesity treatment is most over for weight maintenance rather than weight loss. As a child grows, they add inches in height but not in pounds, causing BMI-for-age to drop over time into a healthier range. Treatment may include multidisciplinary team including the family physician, dietitian, counselor or physical therapist. Specific plans for diet and physical activity may be developed if general guidance is ineffective. In extreme cases, drugs or very-low-calorie diets may be used. "Childhood Obesity: Assessment, Prevention & Treatment." Epidemiology and Community Health : Univeristy of Minnesota : School of Public Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Dec

Increase physical activity daily and weekly. Turn off the television, video games, and computers! Children should be getting at least thirty minutes of physical activity, three times a week. Advocate for physical education to be part of the curriculum in schools Advocate for school systems to provide healthy meals to students. Increase education about nutrition and physical activity. Removed junk food and replace it with health conscious food at home. Plan and research nutritious meals.

1. "Obesity in Children: MedlinePlus." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 07 Dec "Childhood Obesity." Childhood Obesity. American Heart Association, n.d. Web. 06 Dec "Leading Causes of Child Obesity." Childrensorg RSS. Childrens, n.d. Web. 05 Dec "Childhood Obesity Facts." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 July Web. 06 Dec "Childhood Obesity: Assessment, Prevention & Treatment." Epidemiology and Community Health : Univeristy of Minnesota : School of Public Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Dec "National Childhood Obesity Facts, Figures and the Solution to End the Epidemic." SPARK PE. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Dec

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