Obesity in children continues to be a significant health concern in the United States. About one in five children and adolescents in America classify as obese, and the rate of childhood obesity has more than tripled over the last four decades. On the global level, only China has a higher obesity rate than the United States.
What has caused this alarming rate of obesity? Most experts believe that the main contributors are lifestyle choices, including too little activity and too many calories from food and drink. Plus, children tend to eat what their family eats. Suppose parents and siblings eat high-calorie foods and beverages and engage in minimal exercise and activity. In that case, young children will follow that example.
According to the Partnership for a Healthier America, once a child has become obese, the chances of them remaining obese throughout life dramatically increases. An overweight 6-year-old with obesity is ten times more likely to become an obese adult than those with a lower body mass index. Also, one-third of children born after 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime. Children with obesity already demonstrate cardiovascular risk factors typically not seen until adulthood. They have three times more healthcare expenditures than children at healthy weights, costing billions of dollars annually. Children with obesity have a greater risk of social and psychological problems, such as discrimination and poor self-esteem, which can continue into adulthood. And with weight issues are more likely to miss school and repeat a grade than children who are at a healthy weight. To read the full article about factors contributing to obesity, please follow this LINK.
Reducing the chances of childhood obesity can be daunting. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest four things every family can do. They model healthy eating patterns, move more as a family, set consistent sleep routines, and replace screen time with family time. To read more, follow this LINK.
It is always wise to consult with your pediatrician or family doctor if you are concerned about the health of an early learner.