Childhood Obesity, Inactivity, and Nutrition

Childhood Obesity, Inactivity, and Nutrition

According to Dr. William Klish, Professor of Pediatrics and Head of Pediatric Gastroenterology at Baylor College of Medicine, “children today have a shorter life expectancy than their parents for the first time in one hundred years because of the epidemic of obesity.” Although chronic diseases are among the most common and costly health problems, they are also among the most preventable. Adopting healthy behaviors such as eating nutritious foods, being physically active, and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or control the devastating effects of these diseases.
There is compelling evidence that many of the behaviors that contribute to chronic disease are established in childhood. Traditional risk factors such as obesity, inactivity, high fat diet and smoking can all take root at a young age. With the alarming rates of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes in the United States, it is evident that current prevention strategies geared for adults are not enough. It is essential that we initiate healthful lifestyle training in childhood to promote improved health in adult life.

Obesity
Childhood obesity has become a serious health crisis in the United States. Twenty to thirty percent of American children are now classified as overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. Over the past three decades these numbers have almost tripled.

Did you know that….
Obese children and adolescents have shown an alarming increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes. For children born in the United States in 2000, the lifetime risk of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at some point in their lives is estimated at 30 percent for boys and 40 percent for girls, if obesity rates level off.
• Many obese children have high cholesterol and blood pressure levels, which are risk factors for heart disease.
• Obese children have increased stress on their weight-bearing joints, such as their knees and ankles.
• One of the most severe problems for obese children is sleep apnea (interrupted breathing while sleeping). In some cases this can lead to problems with learning and memory.
• Obese children have a high incidence of liver disease and asthma.
• Overweight adolescents have a 70 percent chance of becoming overweight or obese adults.
• Obesity lowers a child’s self-esteem and affects relationships with peers. Some authorities feel that social and psychological problems are the most significant consequence of obesity in children.

Inactivity
Our society has become very sedentary. Children aged 2 to 18 spend an average of 4 hours a day watching television or videotapes, playing video games or using a computer. Seventeen percent of American children are watching television more than 5 hours a day.
Pressure to improve academic performance has led schools to decrease the time allocated for recess. Physical education classes have been reduced as well. The majority of Michigan schools offer PE classes an average of two days per week for approximately 60 minutes of activity time per week.

Did you know that….
• 33% of 2-7 year old kids have a television in their bedroom.
• 68% of school age kids have a television in their bedroom.
• 31% of kids have a computer in their bedroom.
• Kids who have a television in their bedroom watch about an hour and a half more per day than those who don’t have one.
• Kids who have a computer in their bedroom use it about 45 minutes more per day than those who don’t have one.
• A positive association has been shown between the number of hours children watch television or videos and the prevalence of overweight.
• Children are more likely to be overweight if they watch more than 4 hours of television per day.

Poor Nutrition/High Fat Diet
The overall quality of the American adolescent diet has deteriorated. The total servings of fruits and vegetables are well below the recommended 8 one-half cup servings per day for children between the ages of 6 and 11. Milk consumption has decreased by 36%. The average child now consumes 20 ounces of soft drinks per day. Despite the availability of lower fat foods, adolescents still derive 32% of their daily caloric intake from fat.

Did you know that….
• One nutrition expert warns we are seeing the “face of malnutrition” in the United States today. Our kids are overfed and undernourished.
• Over 40% of children’s calories come from added fat and sugar.
• The average child sees 40,000 commercials a year…more than half are for unhealthy foods.
• A small serving of French fries averages 210 calories and 10 grams of fat. If you super-size it, you will more than double the calories and add 16 more grams of fat for a total of 26 grams.
• Children’s meals in restaurants are often high in fat. Applebee’s grilled cheese and fries meal contains 900 calories and 21 grams of saturated and trans fats - that is the equivalent of three pork chops.
• The kids three piece chicken fingers plus fries at Chili’s totals 710 calories and 15 grams of bad fats – that is almost a day’s worth of artery clogging fat!!
• Outback Steakhouse’s Boomerang Cheeseburger is 470 calories and 18 grams of bad fat. That is the equivalent to an adult’s 12 ounce sirloin steak topped with three pats of melted butter.

Back To Top