Childhood Obesity

Childhood Obesity
December 13, 2010\
Our nation has a rapidly increasing issue that requires immediate attention. “Results from the 2007-2008 NHANES, using measured heights and weights, indicate that an estimated 16.9% of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years are obese” (CDC, 2010). If this trend continues at the current rate, nearly 34% of our nation’s children will be obese. Twenty-five million, or one-third of America’s children will soon be obese. With the large increase of obese children, it is clear that childhood obesity has become a nationwide epidemic. Preventative measures need to be taken by society, industry, and individuals in order to allow children to reach adulthood emotionally and physically healthy.

Children are considered to be obese when their body mass index (BMI) is at or above the 95th percentile of gender-specific growth charts (Office of the Surgeon General, n.d.). Body mass index is calculated by taking total weight, and dividing it by height squared. Units of measurement are kilograms for weight, and meters for height. BMI is a reliable indicator of body fatness for most children and teens, however it does not measure body fat directly (OSG, n.d.). Research does indicate that BMI draws a parallel to direct measures of body fat (OSG, n.d.).

When the body mass index is calculated for children and adolescents, the ending value is referred to as BMI-for-age. The BMI-for-age value is then compared to growth charts to determine a percentage value. Any child that ranks at or above the 95th percentile is classified as obese. The United States Department of Health Services Center for Disease Control and Prevention is responsible for creating the growth charts. The charts are based on age and they are gender-specific. This method varies slightly from the adult classification. Adults have a set number for weight and height without regard to age.

While the method for defining obesity is different for children than adults, the causes remain the same. Although sometimes genetic, or caused by certain medical conditions, obesity is caused by an
energy imbalance over a long period of time (OSG, n.d.). The storage of fat within the body occurs when calories consumed exceed the number of calories burned through physical activity. The human body will continue to accumulate fat deposits as long as the calorie imbalance continues. Personal food selections and behavioral patterns are only partly to blame for excess weight gain. The disproportion of energy consumption and energy usage can also be attributed to many external factors.

Dramatic social and environmental changes have occurred in the last three decades that have a direct impact on the frequency of obesity. Lower income families feel pressure to minimize food costs and preparation time that often results in frequent consumption of convenience foods that are high in calories and fat (Koplan, Liverman, & Kraak, 2005). Many communities also face reduced availability and even affordability to vegetables, grains, and other wholesome foods. Another significant environmental change of the last thirty years is the arrival of advanced electronic technology. New technologies such as computers and game consoles are fueling the obesity epidemic. Searching the internet, playing video games, watching television and other sedentary activities are now devouring time once spent doing physical activities.

Instead of playing a physical basketball game with friends, children are now pushing buttons on a hand-held controller to play basketball on a television screen. Playing tag or football have been replaced by idle internet chatting and web games. Television viewing is also one of the major contributors to childhood obesity. Watching television does not require any physical activity at all. Children, who watch more television than their peers, have a greater prevalence of obesity (Bellows & Roach, 2009). In addition to reducing the time for physical activities, television also has advertisements for unwholesome foods. Most of the advertisements shown on television are for foods that are high in fat and caloric content, and low in nutritional value. These advertisements also portray slender characters eating fatty foods. Lean actors eating unwholesome foods may be sending the wrong message to youth. Impressionable young children may possibly believe that it is okay to constantly eat these calorie-rich foods. External factors like television are a prominent cause of corpulence among children. These outside pressures support the
development of obesity which ultimately leads to health issues.

Obesity puts children at risk for physical health disorders (Harper, 2006). Serious health conditions are created from the body straining conditions of obesity. Type 2 diabetes was once thought of as an ‘adult’ disease, at one time composing only 4% of diabetes in youth, it now comprises 8-45 percent of all new pediatric cases of diabetes (Koplan et al., 2005). Obese children are also at risk for cardiovascular disease. Approximately 60% of obese children are in danger of developing cardiovascular disease. High blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, and coronary heart disease are very serious diseases that should not be taken lightly.

Other severe conditions such as cancer can also be caused by obesity (OSG, n.d.). In addition to the physical risks, psychological health issues also pose a danger to obese children. Mental health problems can be caused by obesity and will often develop with overweight youth. Many corpulent children will face social ridicule because of their appearance. Society’s contempt for obese people breeds embarrassment and a loss of self-respect. Feeling ashamed of their appearance, obese children may experience low self-esteem. A lowered sense of self worth may even impair academic and social functioning (Koplan et al, 2005). There are currently twelve and a half million obese children at risk for mental and physical disorders. With so many children in jeopardy, it is time for external influences to intervene. Our society needs to support the prevention of childhood obesity. Government, industry, our nation’s schools, and parents should be at the forefront in preventing this national epidemic. Our government should provide assistance and support in preventing childhood obesity.

Obesity is currently the second largest preventable cause of death in the United States, and it is expected to soon surpass tobacco to take the lead position (OSG, n.d.). Prevention of childhood obesity should be at the top of the national health agenda. Although First Lady Michelle Obama is not a part of the government, she created the national initiative Let’s Move. Let’s Move is a government backed initiative that addresses the factors leading to childhood obesity. Let’s Move teaches children, and those involved in their life, how to eat healthier and gives ideas on how to become more active in their daily life. Federal government should take a leading role in preventing obesity in our youth. Much like the past movements of public safety, the government should be the catalyst of obesity prevention. Only through policies, legislation, programs, and research will meaningful changes be made (Koplan et al, 2005). Congressional support would be vital to providing funding for these activities and would also be fundamental in generating legislative influence.

Without funding and support from Congress, obesity prevention would not work. In addition to federal government support, state and local government efforts would also be needed. Local and state governments are in the best position in regards to focusing on specific needs. Intervention at the state and local government level allows a more specialized and focused approach to preventing childhood obesity. Decisions affecting the prevention of obesity can be made be at the state, county, city or even the neighborhood levels. This allows for a targeted approach to specific areas that would require more assistance. Nutritional programs that focus on proper eating habits should be part of the efforts. Exercise and physical activity training and education should also be part of obesity prevention. In addition to these programs, new approaches to educating our nation should be developed. A method of measuring performance would be needed as it essential to determining success.

Without some way of monitoring progress, we would not be able to evaluate the prevention efforts. Governments will need assistance from other sectors of our society. Food and beverage sales to youth exceeded twenty-seven billion dollars in 2002 (Koplan et al, 2005). These statistics provide evidence that the food and beverage industry for children is both profitable and large. Increased consumption of foods purchased away from home rose nearly twenty-five percent since 1970 (OSG, n.d.).

Most often, the foods and beverages purchased are convenience, or fast foods. The convenience foods offered by the food service industry are normally large in portion size, high in fat and calories, and low in nutritional content. A recent study by the Institute of Medicine revealed that children aged 11 to 18 years of age purchase fast food an average of twice per week. This study also discovered that children who consumed fast food at least twice a week were eating less food with nutritional value, such as fruits and vegetables. Fast food restaurants and beverage companies also need to take a role in obesity prevention among children.

The food and beverage industry should make the prevention of childhood obesity a part of their business strategies. Current trends indicate that the fast food industry is beginning to change by offering healthier options for dining. In addition, for the need to provide consumers with nutritional values at the point of sale, the food and beverage industry should also continue to expand their choices for healthier meals and drinks. New development and promotion of healthier food options among the food and beverage industry will encourage healthy eating habits among children. Our elementary and secondary schools are the best places to reach our nation’s youth since they provide the best opportunities to address children directly. Schools can reinforce healthy eating habits, and also encourage regular physical activities among children.

Areas that should be utilized are the cafeteria, and the physical education department. School cafeterias are a great source for the prevention of childhood obesity. Nutritional standards can be put in place to ensure that children are eating properly. Increasing the wholesomeness of foods and eliminating foods that are high in calories and fat would be a good start to averting childhood obesity. Only offering healthy foods may not be enough to prevent obesity. Physical educations programs could assist in the childhood obesity prevention efforts. Many schools in America no longer offer physical education as part of their curriculum. A 2000 survey found that only 8 percent of elementary schools, 6.4 percent of middle schools, and 5.8 percent of high schools require daily physical education (Koplan et al, 2005). Schools should begin requiring daily physical activities. The Surgeon General recommends at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day for children.

By following recommended guidelines on physical activity, schools will be supporting the prevention of childhood obesity. The efforts of schools are just as important as the individual efforts at home. Parents have the biggest control over what their children consume and how often they exercise. With the decision of what foods their children eat and how often they participate in physical activities, parents must take an active role in monitoring their intake and exercise. Children look to their parents for guidance and support. As role models, parents should set good examples for their children by eating healthy and regularly participating in physical activities. Parents also have control over how much time their children spend doing sedentary activities, such as playing video games or watching television.

Reducing media use, providing healthy food choices, and being a positive role model, parents will surely help in obesity prevention efforts. Childhood obesity has become a nationwide epidemic. Millions of children are at risk of developing emotional and physical disorders. Societal changes have prompted the rise of incidence, but the fault does not lie with a single cause. Many factors have contributed to the increase in childhood obesity. To help prevent future occurrences of obesity among youth, it will require the shared support and hard work of our nation. The combined efforts of society, industry, and individuals will provide our children the opportunity to reach adulthood emotionally and physically healthy.

References

Bellows, P., and J. Roach. (June 2009). Childhood Overweight. In Colorado State University. Retrieved from http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09317.html.

Burke, V. (2006). Obesity in Childhood and Cardiovascular Risk. Clinical & Experimental Pharmacology & Physiology, 33(9), 831-837. Retrieved Dec 7, 2010. From EBSCOhost.

Buttriss, J.L., (2006). Stark Reality: Statistics on Childhood Obesity. Nutrition Bulletin 31(3), 175-177. Retrieved Dec 7, 2010 from EBSCOhost.

CDC. (2010). Overweight and Obesity. Childhood Overweight and Obesity. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/index.html.

Harper, M., (2006). Childhood Obesity. Family & Community Health 29(4), 288-298. Retrieved Dec 7, 2010 from EBSCOhost.

Koplan, J., Liverman, C., and Kraak, V. (2005). Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 105(1), 131-138 Retrieved December 7, 2010 from EBSCOhost.

Let’s Move. (n.d.). Learn the Facts. Retrieved from .

Nestle, M. (2006). Food Marketing and Childhood Obesity–a matter of policy. New England Journal of Medicine 354(24), 2527-2529. Retrieved December 7, 2010 from EBSCOhost.

Okie, S., (2005) Fed Up: Winning the War Against Childhood Obesity. Washington D.C.: Joseph Henry Press, 2005.

Office of the Surgeon General. (n.d.). Overweight and Obesity: Health Consequences. Retrieved December 7, 2010 from http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/obesity/calltoaction/fact_consequences.html.