Childhood obesity among children and adolescents approximately tripled between the early 1980s and the year 2000. An average of about 17 percent of children in the U.S. are overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In some cities it is as high as 40%. The numbers have not changed significantly in the last couple of years and are still very high.

• Childhood Obesity
• Child Health
• Research on Healthy Kids

Today the epidemic of childhood obesity gets a lot of play in the media, however, it wasn't always so. For years it was thought that kids would "grow out of it", and that childhood obesity had little effect on adult diseases and adult weight problems. We know now that childhood eating habits plus the normal effects of an individual's biology will affect people into adulthood. As with adults, the prevalence of obesity in the young varies by ethnic group.

Problems it can cause

Although children of all ages who are inactive risk becoming overweight later in life, it is especially important for pre-school children to get active and stay active to help prevent adult problems stemming from childhood obesity.

Obesity presents numerous problems for the child. Without a change in diet or exercise patterns, childhood obesity can lead to a variety of life-threatening conditions. In addition to increasing the risk of obesity in adulthood, childhood obesity is the leading cause of pediatric hypertension, is associated with Type II diabetes, mellitus, increases the risk of coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, increases stress on the weight-bearing joints, sleep problems, cancer, liver disease, early puberty or menarche, eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, skin infections, and asthma and other respiratory problems, as well as other disorders.

Obesity seems to affect every single organ in the human body. There are now studies which indicate that obesity has an impact on a person's IQ. A recent five-year study claims to have found a link between a persons Body Mass Index (BMI) and the decline in a person's cognitive function.

Some authorities feel that social and psychological problems are among the most significant consequences of obesity in children. We know it lowers self-esteem and affects relationships with peers. Some obese children are even harassed or discriminated against by their own family.

Causes of Childhood Obesity - Eating Habits

As with many conditions, childhood obesity can be brought on by a range of factors, including their nutrition and eating habits. Childrens' food choices are influenced by family meal menus. Researchers have discovered that approximately 80% of parents let their children make their own food decisions. They also discovered that kids who ate more than 4 family meals per week with other family members, are less likely to report low consumption of fruits and vegetables.

Depending on the child's environment and parental status, a child may be more inclined to eat more food than needed if a parent is not present to monitor the portion size of meals or snacks. If a parent is present, then it is more likely that a child will eat less, possibly to avoid discussing the issue of their weight.

It has also been suggested that children with parents that are divorced and live in separate housing structures are more likely to put on more weight than if both parents are present in the consumption of one meal. This may be because children may be fed at least two meals at a time, if the other parent was not aware that their child had already had a meal or snack.

Causes - Inactivity

Physical inactivity of children has also shown to be a serious cause, and children who fail to engage in regular physical activity are at greater risk of obesity. Researchers have discovered obese children are less active on school days and are less active on weekends compared to non-obese children.

Many children fail to exercise because they are spending time doing sedentary activities such as playing video games or watching TV. TV and other technologies may be significant factors of physically inactive children. Researchers have discovered children are more likely to be overweight when watching 4+ hours of TV per day, and more likely to be overweight when using a computer one or more hours per day.

Physical inactivity as a child could result in physical inactivity as an adult. In a fitness survey of 6,000 adults, researchers discovered that 25% of those who were considered active at ages 14 to 19 were also active adults, compared to 2% of those who were inactive at ages 14 to 19, who were now said to be active adults.

Causes - Genetic

Childhood obesity is often the result of an interplay between many genetic and environmental factors. Genes controlling appetite and metabolism can predispose individuals to obesity when sufficient calories are present.

A variety of genetic disorders may also contribute to obesity in children such as Genetic Prader-Willi syndrome, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, MOMO syndrome, leptin receptor mutations, Congenital leptin deficiency, and Melanocortin receptor mutations.

Causes - Mental

Researchers have also discovered that decreased self esteem from obesity leads some obese children feeling sad, or feeling bored or anxious.

What to do about it ....

The U.S. Surgeon General says daily exercise is a key to being fit. We should all pitch in to help not only our own kids, but those in our communities and around the world. When dealing with obesity, everyone has the obligation to join in the fight to overcome and control it... .

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