Winning
the war against childhood obesity
By Brooke
Devey
November 9, 2007 | Over a summer, I had the opportunity
of developing a Kids Fit program. It was a program where
parents would bring their children who were obese to
a gym and I would exercise with them. It was an incredible
opportunity. I learned so much and grew to appreciate
children a lot more. Throughout this time I was with
them I became very interested in how we as parents can
help little children develop better eating habits.
The term obesity is defined as an excess amount
of body fat in relation to lean body mass. No general
agreement exists on the definition of obesity in children
as it does adults. Most professionals use published
guidelines based on the body mass index (BMI), or a
modified BMI for age, to measure obesity in children.
Overweight refers to increased body weight in
relation to height, when compared to some standard of
acceptable or desirable weight. BMI or Body Mass Index
is one important way of deriving desirable weight standards.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
BMI uses a mathematical formula, in which a person's
weight in pounds is divided by the square of the person's
height in inches and this result is then multiplied
by 703. Others define obesity in children as body weight
at least 20 percent higher than a healthy weight for
a child of that height, or a body fat percentage above
25 percent in boys or above 32 percent in girls.
Obesity is now the most widespread medical problem
affecting children and adolescents living in the United
States and other developed countries. About 15 percent
of adolescents (aged 1219 years) and children (aged
611 years) are obese in the United States according
to the American Obesity Association. The numbers are
expected to continue increasing. Childhood obesity represents
one of our greatest health challenges.
Obesity has a profound effect on a child's life. Obesity
increases the child's risk of numerous health problems,
and it also can create emotional and social problems.
When they are this way it increases their risk of serious
health problems such as heart disease and stroke. Childhood
obesity has become a disturbing national epidemic and
has grown considerably in the past two decades. The
percentage of children and adolescents who are defined
as overweight has more than doubled since the early
1970s. According to the Centers for Disease Control,
about 15 percent of children and adolescents are now
overweight.
Ironically, obesity is among the easiest medical conditions
to recognize but most difficult to treat. Overweight
children are much more likely to become overweight adults
unless they adopt and maintain healthier patterns of
eating and exercise. In fact, 30 percent of adult obesity
begins in childhood. Obesity accounts for more than
300,000 deaths a year and the annual cost to society
for obesity is estimated at nearly $100 billion.
The most immediate consequence of being overweight
as perceived by children themselves is social discrimination
and low-self-esteem. In a recent study by Schwimmer,
et.al. (2003), obese children rated their quality of
life with scores as low as those of young cancer patients
on chemotherapy. In the study, 106 children aged 5 to
18 filled out a questionnaire used by pediatricians
to evaluate quality of life issues. Children were asked
to rate things like their ability to walk more than
one block, play sports, sleep well, get along with others
and keep up in school. The results indicated that that
teasing at school, difficulties playing sports, fatigue,
sleep apnea and other obesity-linked problems severely
affected obese children's well-being. Interestingly,
parents answered the same questionnaires, and their
ratings of their children's well-being were even lower
than the children's self-ratings.
Society, culture, and the media send children powerful
messages about body weight and shape ideals. For girls,
these include the "thin ideal" and an urging to diet
and exercise. Messages to boys emphasize a muscular,
"buff" body and pressure to body-build and perhaps make
use of potentially harmful dietary supplements and steroids.
While gender has not been identified as a specific risk
factor for obesity in children, the pressure upon girls
to be thin may put them at greater risk for developing
eating disorder behaviors and or related mood symptoms.
Although society presents boys with a wider-range of
acceptable body images, they are still at risk for developing
disordered eating and body image disturbances.
The cause of obesity includes genetics, nutrition,
physical activity and family factors all contribute
to obesity in children and adolescents. If one parent
is obese, there is a 50 percent chance that a child
will also be obese. However, when both parents are obese,
a child has an 80 percent chance of being obese. Although
the genetic influences are significant, it is important
to recognize those poor eating habits and overeating,
lack of exercise, and family eating patterns and pressures
also contribute to the inability to maintain a healthy
weight.
If your child is overweight, further weight gain can
be prevented. Parents can help their children keep their
weight in the healthy range. According to the U.S. Surgeon
General's "Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight
and Obesity":
-- In infancy, breast feeding and delaying introduction
of solid foods may help prevent obesity.
-- In early childhood, children should be given healthful,
low-fat snacks and take part in vigorous physical activity
every day. Their television viewing should be limited
to no more than seven hours per week (which includes
video games and the Internet).
-- Older children can be taught to select healthy,
nutritious foods and to develop good exercise habits.
Their time spent watching television and playing with
computer or video games should be limited to no more
than seven hours each week. Avoid snacking or eating
meals while watching TV, movies, and videos.
-- Obese children need a thorough medical evaluation
by a pediatrician to consider the possibility of a physical
cause.
-- Increase physical activity, perhaps by taking a
few brisk walks with your child each week.
-- Let your child know he or she is loved and appreciated
whatever his or her weight. An overweight child probably
knows better than anyone else that he or she has a weight
problem. Overweight children need support, acceptance,
and encouragement from their parents.
-- Be a good role model for your child. If your child
sees you enjoying healthy foods and physical activity,
he or she is more likely to do the same now and rest
of his or her life.
NW
MS
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