Over the past couple of years, most of our focus has been on the Covid pandemic. But, under our own noses, for many years, we have been suffering through the childhood obesity epidemic. Shockingly, according to data from the World Obesity organization, the United States is ranked 12th highest in the world for childhood obesity, out of 200 nations.
In an online article titled Understanding the Childhood Obesity Epidemic, Dr. William Cochran wrote: “Pediatric obesity is now of epidemic proportions in the United States. Pediatric overweight and obesity now affects more than 30 percent of children, making it the most common chronic disease of childhood.”
What are some of the causes noted by Dr. Cochran and many in his field? Dietary changes that have occurred over the past 20 to 30 years. These include:
Eating out frequently at fast food restaurants.
Larger portion sizes for food and drinks.
Drinking sodas, juices, and sports drinks that are high in calories and sugar content.
Also, the growing lack of activity is of great concern. Many schools have removed physical education from school activities while watching television and videos and playing video games have risen in popularity.
Unfortunately, obesity in a child has been statistically shown to continue into adulthood. In his article, Dr. Cochran further noted:
Pediatric obesity is a real and very significant health problem that is associated with adverse effects on health in childhood as well as adulthood. There is a high likelihood of a child with obesity becoming an adult with obesity. This risk increases as the child gets older.
The risk that a five-year-old child with obesity remains affected by obesity as an adult is approximately 50 percent. This increases to more than 80 percent for an adolescent with obesity. On the other hand, the risk of a normal weight child becoming affected by obesity as an adult is only seven percent.
What can parents do? Treating childhood obesity is a three-fold approach according to Dr. Cochran: involve the child, the parents, and the medical advisor. It is often not just a healthy diet and exercise that is involved, but the child’s good eating habits and regular exercise are critical to any long-lasting changes.
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