Curbing Childhood Obesity

4/6/2023

By Jacob A. Kallsen, M.D.

LAREDO, TX – April is National Minority Health Month, highlighting the importance of reducing health disparities, including childhood obesity. Establishing and maintaining healthy eating habits for your child is more than just a matter of good nutrition – it is critically important to lifelong health and avoiding chronic disease. Childhood obesity is creating a nation of youth with weight problems, and a generation battling chronic weight-related diseases traditionally seen only in older adults.

Since 1976, the prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents has almost quadrupled, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Today, approximately 19.7 percent, or 14.7 million, of children and adolescents ages 2 - 19 years old are obese. “Overweight” is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) over 25, and “obese” is defined as having a BMI over 30. The CDC adds that childhood obesity is more common among certain populations. Obesity prevalence was 26.2% among Hispanic children and 24.8% among non-Hispanic Black children.

Being overweight has detrimental effects on a child’s self esteem, leading to a poor self-image, depression, social discrimination, unhealthy eating habits and possibly, eating disorders. In addition to the social stigma of being overweight, the health risks for children are significant.

Numerous industry studies have shown that overweight or obese children will battle this condition for life, and those who have weight problems as children will be more severely overweight or obese as adults. Being overweight or obese also puts children at risk for a variety of harmful and detrimental health conditions. Many children and youth are being diagnosed as early as their teen years with these chronic conditions:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Type 2 diabetes
• Breathing problems such as sleep apnea and asthma
• Joint problems
• Gallstones
• Heartburn and GERD
• Kidney disease

Studies show that nearly 70 percent of obese children between ages 5 and 10 have at least one risk factor for heart disease, and nearly 30 percent had two or more heart disease risk factors.

Currently, over 37 million children and adults in the United States – or nearly 11.3 percent of the population – have diabetes, and it is one of the leading causes of death by disease in the United States. Sadly, according to the American Diabetes Association, about 283,000 Americans younger than 20 years have diagnosed diabetes (type 1 or type 2). Statistics are more bleak for ethnic minorities, particularly African American and Hispanic children. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which has tracks obesity rates, notes that about 2 in 7 Hispanic boys (28.1%) and nearly 1 in 4 Hispanic girls (23.0%) have obesity.

The causes of childhood obesity are very basic: children eating too many calories and not getting sufficient exercise. The prevalence of sugary soft drinks, fast food and high-fat processed foods in the American diet, larger portion sizes, and increasingly sedentary lifestyles – including excessive television and video time – are primary factors. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommends at least 60 minutes of aerobic physical activity each day for children.

Health providers, nutritionists, and educators are working together to reverse the trend. Start at home by modeling healthy eating habits, making good nutritional choices, and limiting television and video time. Instead, engage in physical activity as a family such as walking together or going for a bike ride.

To find a primary care provider or learn more about healthy choices for you or your family, visit http://bit.ly/3jOgu0T to schedule an appointment.

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About the Author:
Dr. Jacob Kallsen is a board-certified family medicine physician and is employed by Regional Employee Assistance Program d/b/a Primary Care Associates of Laredo.

Remember that this information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor, but rather to increase awareness and help equip patients with information and facilitate conversations with your physician that will benefit your health.

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