Obesity and ChildrenLove and Respect

Acceptance and FunBy: Candance Gabel, M.S. R.D.L.D.

“Overweight” = BMI > 95th percentile

“At risk for Overweight” = BMI > 85th percentile but < 95th

percentile

What Causes Obesity?•Genetics•Familial Factors•Socio-demographic Factors•Dietary Factors•Physical Activity and Sedentary Activity•Psychological Factors

Medical Reasons

• Hypothyroidism• Cushing’s Syndrome• Prader-Willi• Turner’s Syndrome• Laurence-Moon-Biedl

Hereditary? Somewhere between 30 – 75% of

the variance in adiposity within a population can be explained by genetics.

What do Parents have to do with it?

Parental education and raceAge of mother and race

Number of siblings and race

Prevalence of Overweight in 9-10 Year Old Girls by Parental Education and Race

Black Girls White Girlsn=1213 n=1166

Parental Education< High School 31% 29%Some College 31% 25%>4 Years College32% 16%

Patterson, Crawford, et al 1997

Prevalence of overweight in 9-10 year old girls by age of mother and

race Black Girls White Girls

Age of Mother/Female Guardian<31 26% 20%31-35 29% 23%36-40 33% 19%41-45 37% 21%>45 36% 27%

Patterson, Crawford, et al 1997

Prevalence of overweight in 9-10 year old girls by number of siblings and race

Black Girls White GirlsNumber of Siblings

0 35% 29%1 34% 21%2 28% 20%>3 26% 14%

Eating Practice yes no

Eating while watching TV 1900 1790Eat while doing homework 1920 1820Eat when not hungry 1900 1830Sneak food 1880 1830Buy snacks 1870 1820Eat big helpings 1880 1820

Vulnerable Times

• Prenatal• Adiposity rebound (Age 5 to 7)• Adolescence• Early Adulthood• Pregnancy• Menopause

Health Risks

• Increased blood pressure• Increased total cholesterol • Abnormal lipoproteins• Hyperinsulineamia

Psycho Social

• Depression• Low self-esteem• Work difficulties• Social difficulties

Seeing Things Differently

Factors to consider when assessing weight in Adolescents

Redefining “success” with overweight intervention

• Improved body image• Division of responsibility• Physically active life-style• Healthful eating pattern• Ability to deal with peers• Normal medical indicators• Weight stabilization • Improved self-esteem