Today's youth are
considered the most
inactive generation in
history caused in part
by reductions in school
physical education
programs and unavailable
or unsafe community
recreational facilities.
In the U.S., only the
state of Illinois
requires daily physical
education for students
in grades K to 12.
Many adverse health
effects associated with
overweight are observed
in children and
adolescents. Overweight
during childhood and
particularly adolescence
is related to increased
morbidity and mortality
in later life.
Many parents are rightly
concerned about their
child's weight and how
it affects them. They
look for specific
answers for prevention
and treatment options.
Unfortunately, the state
of the science is a lot
less precise than we
would like. Are kids too
concerned about their
weight? What are the
best strategies for
prevention? What
treatments work over a
long time? Researchers
are trying to answer
those and many other
questions. In many
cases, common sense
works well.
In situations where
there are serious
health, psychological or
social problems, parents
should seek out the best
possible advice.
Obesity in children and
adolescents is a serious
issue with many health
and social consequences
that often continue into
adulthood. Implementing
prevention programs and
getting a better
understanding of
treatment for youngsters
is important to
controlling the obesity
epidemic.
The percentage of
children and adolescents
who are overweight and
obese is now higher than
ever before. Poor
dietary habits and
inactivity are reported
to contribute to the
increase of obesity in
youth.
Causes of Childhood
Obesity
There are many factors
that contribute to
causing child and
adolescent obesity -
some are modifiable and
others are not.
Modifiable causes
include:
-
Physical Activity -
Lack of regular
exercise.
-
Sedentary behavior
- High frequency of
television viewing,
computer usage, and
similar behavior
that takes up time
that can be used
for physical
activity.
-
Socioeconomic
Status - Low family
incomes and
non-working
parents.
-
Eating Habits -
Over-consumption of
high-calorie foods.
Some eating
patterns that have
been associated
with this behavior
are eating when not
hungry, eating
while watching TV
or doing homework.
-
Environment - Some
factors are
over-exposure to
advertising of
foods that promote
high-calorie foods
and lack of
recreational
facilities.
Non-changeable causes
include:
