The World Health Organization defines Obesity as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health.

The latest numbers from 2017, have 4 million people dying worldwide each year as a result of being overweight or obese.

The current U.S. adult obesity rate is 42.4 percent, which rose from 26 percent in 2008. Rates vary greatly by state, with Mississippi being the highest at 40.8 and Colorado, the lowest at 23.8 percent.

While it is well known that adult Obesity rates are growing steadily, the prevalence of childhood obesity is on the rise as well.

The Childhood Obesity Foundation reports, as of 2019, it is estimated that over 150 million children in the world are obese and that this will increase to 206 million by 2025.

In the United States, childhood obesity has more than tripled over the last four decades.

In the 1970s, 5% of children in the United States between the ages of 2 to 19, were Obese. In the 1980s, obesity emerged as an epidemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, using data from 2017-2020, the prevalence of obesity grew to 19.7%, affecting 14.7 million children and adolescents with the numbers ranging in certain ages.

Today, one out of six children is obese, and one out of three children is overweight or obese.

Obesity Prevalence:

• 12.7% among 2-to-5-year-olds.
• 20.7% among 6-to-11-year-olds
• 22.2% among 12-to-19-year-olds

Causes of Childhood Obesity

Childhood Obesity is caused by mainly two factors, unhealthy eating patterns and lack of physical activity.

Consuming foods that are high in fat and sugar, are not only higher in calories but lack any real nutritional value. Not only does this result in overeating, but the lack of proper nutrients also results in poor physical development.

Daily physical activity is just as important as nutrition. Decades ago, it was common for children to be outside all day, playing with their friends, building forts, and riding their bikes around town. Today, that is not the case. It is much more common for kids to engage in online gaming.

How is Childhood Obesity Measured?

The American Academy of Pediatrics defines BMI as a measure used to screen for excess body adiposity; it is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters.

BMI is considered the best indicator to determine a healthy weight, which should fall between the 5th and 85th percentiles for children of the same age and gender.

The 2022 Extended Growth Charts

In 2022, the Center for Disease Control adjusted the existing growth charts. Many children exceeded the limits of the current growth charts, forcing the CDC to extend them, adding Class 2 and Class 3 Obesity Categories.

Today, (as of July 1, 2023) the growth charts are as follows:

A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, reports, “If current trends in child obesity continue, more than 57% of today’s children in the U.S. will have obesity at age 35.

Why Does Childhood Obesity Matter?

Just like in adults, excess weight can cause many health problems, both mentally and physically.

Physically:

• Headaches, increased pressure in the brain
• Sleep apnea, Asthma
• Fat in the liver
• Kidney disease
• Hip pain with a limp
• Arthritis, joint pain
• Bowed Legs, Flat Feet
• Heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure
• GERD, Acid Reflux disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Irregular menstrual periods, PCOS

Mentally:

• Poor Self-esteem and body dissatisfaction
• Depression, mood swings, suicidal thoughts
• More likely to suffer from social isolation.
• Eating disorders

_©July 2023