CHILDHOOD OBESITY

INTRO TO CHILDHOOD OBESITY

http://www.researchchannel.org/prog/displayevent.aspx?rID=4077&fID=345

cdc.gov

cdc.gov

cdc.gov

PREVALENCE

About 16% of all children and adolescents in the U.S. are overweight. Even our youngest children are affected.

Overweight and obesity has increased in all ethnic groups, all ages and both genders.

OBESITY & RACIAL / ETHNIC DISPARITIES

More common in African Americans and Hispanics.

Why? Fewer grocery stores and more fast-food

restaurants Less likely to be involved in physical activities Higher poverty rates

CAUSES OF OBESITY

Bigger portions From 1977 – 1994:

Calories increased 9% in adolescent boys and 7% for adolescent girls

Portions: Salty snacks increased from 132 calories to 225

calories Soft drinks increased from 144 calories to 193 calories Hamburgers increased from 389 calories to 486

calories. American Heart Association

CAUSES: LESS NUTRITION

Fruits & Vegetables Only 14% of children (6-19 y/o) meet the daily

recommendation for 2-4 daily servings of fruit. Only 20% get the recommended daily serving of

vegetables

Whole grains Although at least two servings are

recommended: Children get less than one serving per day.

CAUSES: MILK CONSUMPTION

American Heart Association

CAUSES: ADDED SUGAR

Found in: soft drinks, fruit drinks, sports beverages, energy drinks, and processed foods.

Girls’ soda consumption doubled while boys’ consumption tripled.

American Heart Association

CAUSES: EATING OUT Approximately 40% of budgeted food money

is spent away from home. Americans’ spending on fast food:

Increased from $60 billion to $110 billion in the last 30 years.

Children 11-18 y/o eat fast-food an average of twice a week.

American Heart Association

CAUSES: LACK OF PHYSICAL EXERCISE

Although at least 30 minutes of moderate activity is recommended daily. 23% of children have no free-time physical

activity

Schools have dropped PE classes Media has replaced activity Neighborhoods may be unsafe

CHILDREN/TEENS & BMI BMI: Body Mass Index

It does not measure body fat directly

For children & teens: BMI is plotted on a BMI-for-age growth chart Given a percentile rank

Underweight: Less than 5th percentile Healthy weight: 5th to 84th percentile Overweight: 85th to 94th percentile Obese: 95th percentile and greater

Cdc.gov

cdc.gov

BMI

Initially calculated the same as adult BMI But interpreted differently

Amount of body fat changes with age Amount of body fat is different for boys and girls

Healthy weight ranges change with each month of age for each sex

Healthy weight ranges change as height increases

Cdc.gov