Child Obesity Awareness Month

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obesity prevalence in children and adolescents, by age, race, and Hispanic origin, United States, 2015 to 2018.

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September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the monthlong observance shines a light on the growing epidemic of childhood obesity and provides guidance on prevention and treatment.

According to the CDC, nearly one out of every five children and teenagers (19.7%) living in America today earns a diagnosis of obesity based on their body mass index (BMI equal to or greater than 30.0 kg/m² or greater than the 95th percentile for age). Last year we learned that an even greater percentage of children and teenagers (25%) are overweight and at risk of developing obesity and the medical and psychological complications associated with the condition, including:

• type 2 diabetes

• hypertension

• heart disease

• metabolic syndrome

• non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

• asthma

• sleep apnea

• cancer

• anxiety and depression

• complications from COVID

 

It’s important to mention that overweight children very often grow up and become overweight adults. In case you’re wondering, almost three out of four American adults (74%) are overweight or obese. This creates a huge medical and societal problem that has been getting worse for kids and adults in recent years.

Melissa Jenco looked at a study published in Pediatrics in July which found that the prevalence of obesity in children is rising, is starting at earlier ages, and is reaching more severe levels than previously observed:

About 15.3% of the children had obesity when they entered kindergarten in 2010 compared to 12% in the earlier cohort, and a higher proportion of the recent group had severe obesity, the study found.

The risk of developing obesity was greater among boys than girls in both groups. Authors also noted differences by race. The risk of new onset obesity by fifth grade was 29% higher for Black students in the recent group compared to the earlier group, the only racial group to see an increase.

Looking at socioeconomic data, the greatest risk of developing obesity was among the lowest and highest groups while staying steady for those in the middle. Authors said the finding is “a reminder that children of all walks of life are at risk for obesity.”

 

The CDC suggests four ways parents and caregivers “can help children have a healthy weight and set up lifelong healthy habits at home.”

Model a Healthy Eating Pattern

Adopting healthy eating patterns as a family helps children reach and maintain a healthy weight as they age. Eating a variety of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, lean protein foods, and low-fat and fat-free dairy products follows nutrition guidelines and sets your family up for optimal health.

Help your children get the nutrients they need by making half their plate fruits and vegetables. Help kids rethink their drink by replacing sugary drinks, such as soda, fruit drinks, and flavored milk, with water, 100% juice, or plain low-fat milk.

Move More as a Family

Physically active youth have stronger muscles and bones, better cardiovascular fitness, and lower body fat than those who are inactive. Children aged 3–5 years should be physically active throughout the day. Children aged 6–17 years need at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

Walking the family pet before and after school, riding bikes, and having races in the yard all count toward physical activity. Active chores, such as washing the car, vacuuming a room, or raking leaves, also count.

Set Consistent Sleep Routines

Good sleep helps prevent type 2 diabetes, obesity, injuries, and problems with attention and behavior. Kids who don’t get enough sleep are at risk for unhealthy weight gain. Researchers are still trying to learn how sleep is linked to weight gain. Some reasons might include causing a child to eat more or to be less physical active because of to lack of energy.

Replace Screen Time with Family Time

In young people, too much screen time can lead to poor sleep, weight gain, lower grades in school, and poor mental health. Reducing screen time can free up time for family activities and can remove cues to eat unhealthy food.

Turning screens off an hour before bed and removing screens from children’s bedrooms can help reduce screen time and improve sleep.

 

Improving diet, increasing activity levels, and getting better “Zzzzz’s” are all things we can do to reduce the risk and consequences of obesity in children. But there may be other risk factors present in the environment contributing to obesity that are not as much in our control and can’t be reduced simply by changing our behaviors. We’ll take a look at the impact of obesogens — chemicals that contaminate the water, soil, and air we all share — tomorrow on The PediaBlog.

 

source http://www.thepediablog.com/2022/09/27/child-obesity-awareness-month/