Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the effects can be serious.
Being overweight means you have excess body weight for your particular height from fat, muscle, bone, water or a combination of these factors. Obesity is defined as having extreme excess body fat. Being overweight or obese results from caloric imbalance, which means too few calories are expended for the amount of calories consumed. Obesity is affected by various genetic, behavioral and environmental factors.
Childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term effects on health and well-being.
Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. Obese adolescents are more likely to have pre-diabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels indicate a high risk for development of diabetes.
Children and adolescents who are obese are also at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea and social and psychological problems, such as depression and poor self-esteem.
As far as long-term health effects go, children and adolescents who are obese are likely to be obese as adults and are therefore more at risk for adult health problems, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer and osteoarthritis.
There are several things you can do to lower the risk of your child or teen becoming obese, including eating healthy meals and snacks and making sure your child gets enough physical activity each day. Schools also provide opportunities for students to learn about and practice healthy eating and physical activity.
I often tell my patients that children 6 years and older need at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day — this doesn’t have to be done all at one time but can be done throughout the day in shorter periods of time. Also, encourage your child to try team or group activities, such as soccer, gymnastics, basketball, baseball, softball or hockey, but be sure you’re not putting pressure on your child to compete. Keep in mind that some children enjoy the social aspects of team sports, but other children may feel pressured or embarrassed competing on a team.
If your child doesn’t play any sports, go for a walk or bike ride with them a few times a week. Other good cardiovascular activities for children include swimming, dancing, gymnastics, roller blading and running. Regular exercise helps children feel less stressed and more confident, plus it builds healthy bones, muscles and joints, and improves sleep.
Whether your child is at risk of becoming overweight or is currently at a healthy weight, you can take proactive measures to get or keep things on the right track. The following are tips from the Mayo Clinic:
• Limit your child’s consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.
• Provide plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Eat meals together as a family as often as possible.
• Limit eating out, especially at fast food restaurants.
• Adjust portion sizes appropriately for age.
• Limit TV and other “screen time” to less than two hours per day.
It is also important for you to be a healthy role model for your child. Make an effort to be physically active in your daily life, eat healthy meals that incorporate the right nutrients and plan active family outings.
Also, be sure your child sees a primary care physician or pediatrician for well-child checkups at least once a year. During this visit, the doctor will measure your child’s height and weight and calculates his or her body mass index (BMI). An increase in your child’s BMI or in their percentile rank over one year is a possible sign that your child is at risk of becoming overweight.
Eskenazi Health provides well-child checkup services at several locations. For more information on these services or to find a primary care physician, please call 317-880-8687. Eskenazi Health Center has a sliding fee schedule and is open to all regardless of ability to pay.
Nydia Nuñez-Estrada, M.D.
Family Medicine
Eskenazi Health Center
North Arlington