TALKING POINTS: Childhood Obesity
Childhood Obesity
Definition: A child’s weight status is determined based on an age- and sex-specific percentile for BMI rather than by the BMI categories used for adults. For children and adolescents (aged 2–19 years), overweight is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex. This definition is based on the 2000 CDC Growth Charts for the
For More information on the calculation of BMI, see BMI Calculator
Contributing Factors: At the individual level, childhood overweight is the result of an imbalance between the calories a child consumes as food and beverages and the calories a child uses to support normal growth and development, metabolism, and physical activity. In other words, overweight results when a child consumes more calories than the child uses. The imbalance between calories consumed and calories used can result from the influences and interactions of a number of factors, including genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors. It is the interactions among these factors – rather than any single factor – that are thought to cause overweight.
Overweight among Racial/Ethnic Groups: Although overweight has increased for all children and adolescents over time, NHANES data indicate disparities among racial/ethnic groups.
-Boys Aged 12–19 Years
The prevalence rate of overweight was slightly higher among adolescent non-Hispanic white boys (19.1%) than among non-Hispanic black boys (18.5%) and Mexican American boys (18.3%).
-Data from NHANES III (1988 - 1994) through NHANES 2003–2004 showed that adolescent non-Hispanic white and black boys experienced larger increases in the prevalence of overweight (7.5% and 7.8% respectively) compared to the increase among Mexican American boys (4.2%).
-Among non-Hispanic white boys, the prevalence of overweight increased from 11.6% to 19.1%.
-Among non-Hispanic black boys, the prevalence of overweight increased from 10.7% to 18.5%.
-Among Mexican American boys, the prevalence of overweight increased from 14.1% to 18.3%.
Behavioral Factors: Because the factors that contribute to childhood overweight interact with each other, it is not possible to specify one behavior as the “cause” of overweight. However, certain behaviors can be identified as potentially contributing to an energy imbalance and, consequently, to overweight.
Energy intake: Evidence is limited on specific foods or dietary patterns that contribute to excessive energy intake in children and teens. However, large portion sizes for food and beverages, eating meals away from home, frequent snacking on energy-dense foods and consuming beverages with added sugar are often hypothesized as contributing to excess energy intake of children and teens.
Physical activity: Children may be spending less time engaged in physical activity during school. Daily participation in school physical education among adolescents dropped 14 percentage points over the last 13 years. In addition, less than one-third (28%) of high school students meet currently recommended levels of physical activity.
Sedentary behavior: Children spend a considerable amount of time with media. One study found that time spent watching TV, videos, DVDs, and movies averaged slightly over 3 hours per day among children aged 8–18 years.
DIABETES
The three main kinds of diabetes are type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes: Formerly called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is usually first diagnosed in children, teenagers, or young adults. In this form of diabetes, the beta cells of the pancreas no longer make insulin because the body’s immune system has attacked and destroyed them.
Type 2 Diabetes: Formerly called adult-onset or non insulin-dependent diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes. People can develop type 2 diabetes at any age, even during childhood. This form of diabetes usually begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which fat, muscle, and liver cells do not use insulin properly. At first, the pancreas keeps up with the added demand by producing more insulin. In time, however, it loses the ability to secrete enough insulin in response to meals. Being overweight and inactive increases the chances of developing type 2 diabetes.
Gestational Diabetes: Some women develop gestational diabetes late in pregnancy. Although this form of diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born, a woman who has had gestational diabetes is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life. Gestational diabetes is caused by the hormones of pregnancy or a shortage of insulin.
(National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse)
At Home, Encourage Activity:
You can help your children maintain a healthy body weight by encouraging them to be active. Try taking them to a park. According to the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), 75 percent of Americans live within a two-mile walking distance of a public park.
Help Your Children Maintain a Healthy Body Weight:
Be supportive. Set guidelines for the amount of time your children can spend watching television or playing video games. Plan family activities that involve exercise. Be sensitive. Find activities your children will enjoy that aren't difficult or could cause embarrassment. Eat meals together as a family and eat at the table, not in front of a television, etc
Make weight loss a family affair:
Children can't change their exercise and eating habits by themselves. They need the help and support of their families and other caregivers. This is why successful prevention and treatment of childhood obesity starts at home.
-Community
Improving School Lunch Programs.
a. In
b. In
-Nationwide
Federal, state, and local governments are actively engaged in childhood obesity prevention efforts. However, the level of funding and resources invested in these efforts, and their monitoring and evaluation, is not commensurate with the seriousness of this public health problem. It is recommended to:
PROVIDE LEADERSHIP AND SUSTAINED COMMITMENT
EVALUATE POLICIES AND PROGRAMS
DISSEMINATE PROMISING PRACTICES
MONITOR PROGRESS AND CONDUCT RESEARCH
Programs to know about / Additional Information
- People’s Grocery, Healthy Food for Everyone!
- Institute of Community Participation
- Literacy for Environmental Justice
posted by Guests On Call @ 5:01 PM
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