Obesity in Children and Teens

According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, the problem of childhood obesity in the United States has grown considerably in recent years. Between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescents are obese. Obesity is among the easiest medical conditions to recognize but most difficult to treat. Generally, a child is not considered obese until the weight is at least 10 percent higher than what is recommended for the height and body type. Obesity most commonly begins in childhood between the ages of 5 and 6, and during adolescence. Studies have shown that a child who is obese between the ages of 10 and 13 has an 80 percent chance of becoming an obese adult.

Obesity frequently becomes a lifelong issue. The reason most obese adolescents gain back their lost pounds is that after they have reached their goal, they go back to their old habits of eating and exercising. An obese adolescent must therefore learn to eat and enjoy healthy foods in moderate amounts and to exercise regularly to maintain the desired weight. Parents of an obese child can improve their child's self esteem by emphasizing the child's strengths and positive qualities rather than just focusing on their weight problem.

• Are you aware that obese girls are more likely to have low self-esteem?
• Are you aware that obesity in children lead to loneliness, sadness, and nervousness?
• Are you aware that depression can result in obese children?
• Are you aware that the suicide rate is high with obese children?
• Are you aware that teens with weight problems have much lower self-esteem and are less popular with their peers?
• Are you aware that child and adolescent obesity is also associated with increased risk of emotional problems?

According to the AMA, 6/23/09, an obese child at age 7 is at future risk of heart disease and stroke, without the presence of other cardiovascular risk factors. Young adults who are obese have an increased risk of pancreatic cancer, and being obese at an older age is associated with a lower overall survival rate for patients with pancreatic cancer.

Among children 10-17, about 30% are overweight or obese in 30 states. Adult obesity rates now exceed 25% in 31 states, up from 28 states last year and 19 the year before that.

Ways to manage obesity in children and adolescents include:

* start a weight-management program
* change eating habits (eat slowly, develop a routine)
* plan meals and make better food selections (eat less fatty foods, avoid junk and fast foods)
* control portions and consume less calories
* increase physical activity (especially walking) and have a more active lifestyle
* know what your child eats at school
* eat meals as a family instead of while watching television or at the computer
* do not use food as a reward
* limit snacking
* attend a support group

Children and teen obesity is an epidemic that is growing at an alarming rate with no stopping in sight. We cannot continue the status quo; we must take action to stop the epidemic of obesity in children and teens.