Important Childhood Obesity Facts

Childhood obesity facts for the United States are sobering: Childhood obesity is on the rise. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention more than 12% of US children between the ages of 2 and 19 are obese. This obesity is not just a case of baby fat; the effects are long term. Overweight children have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults.

Childhood Obesity Statistics
The obesity rate in children has been slowly increasing over the past several years. Researchers attribute the rise to poor eating habits, which is understandable when you consider that 1/3 of all US children ages 4 to 19 eat fast food every day.

Researchers also cite a lack of exercise as a contributing factor to obesity. National guidelines recommend that schools allocate 150 minutes per week of physical activity for elementary school students and 225 minutes per week for older children. Only one state, Illinois, actually enforces these guidelines. In many states, children are getting far less physical activity at school than they need.

Risks of Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity leads to numerous health problems, including some that were once limited to adults. Type 2 diabetes is now found in 45% of all new pediatric cases of diabetes. Moreover, 60% of all obese children ages 5 to 10 have risk factors for cardiovascular disease. That means young children are suffering from high cholesterol, high blood pressure and elevated triglycerides, along with increased insulin production.

Many obese children suffer sleep apnea, or the cessation of breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea causes oxygen levels in the blood to fall drastically. The side effects are loss of memory, poor concentration, irritability and mood swings. These symptoms can lead to poor school performance. 

Some obese children get Hepatic Steatosis, a fatty degeneration of the liver caused by a high concentration of liver enzymes. Weight reduction causes liver enzymes to normalize. In fact, childhood obesity and all its side effects can be prevented with a few simple lifestyle changes.

Fighting Childhood Obesity
Eliminating snacking, excessive eating, empty calories and fast food all help to reduce weight and the risks of childhood obesity. After that, it is a matter of establishing good eating habits. Children first need to understand sensible portions. Then they must eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and grains.

Combine this with just a little bit of physical activity, and immediate health benefits and physical changes will take place.