Understand the Causes of Childhood, Toddlers and Teen Obesity

Childhood Obesity, Teen & Toddler Obesity

International Epidemic of Childhood Obesity

One in every 5 children in USA is overweight while every 4th child is overweight in Australia. In USA, prevalence of obese children (Ages 6 to 11) at the 95th percentile of Body Mass Index (BMI) in 1999 to 2000 was 15.3%. If the parents do not control, this number of childhood obesity, teen obesity and overweight children will grow significantly in near future. The childhood obesity and the number of overweight children is increasing rapidly like an epidemic; it has increased by more than 50 percent in the last two decades.

Definition of Obesity in Children & Toddlers
The overweight children are those who weigh 20 percent more than their ideal weight. The obese children are those who weigh 40 percent or more above their ideal weight.

The vulnerable period to start excess weight gain in toddlers is 3 and 4 years of their age. So the children of this age must get an hour of active play each day along with five fruits and vegetables, according to Dr. Stephen Daniels of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

Percentile of Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to identify overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) suggest two levels of overweight: (a) the 85th percentile (BMI of 25), an "at risk" or reference level, and (b) the 95th percentile (BMI of 25), the obesity level. Note that the 95th percentile corresponds to a BMI of 30, which is considered obesity in adults.

The Causes of Obesity

The main causes of children becoming overweight (i.e. childhood obesity and teenage obesity) are lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating habits, genetic reasons, or a combination of these. Obesity develops when the energy intake exceeds energy expenditure from physical activity.

With the advent of electronic revolution, children and teens now remain glued to TVs, electronic games, videos, and DVDs for most of the time and devote little time in outdoor activities. Along with this they eat a lot of junk foods loaded with fat, cholesterol, and sugar. This a very good recipe for gaining weight.
Only 2 hours are recommenced for a child to watch TV each day. Two recent studies reported in the Journal of Pediatrics (2005) reported that every extra hour of weekend TV at age 5 increased by 7% the chances of being obese at age 30. Also 11 year old girls who watched TV more than 2 hours in a day were more than twice as likely to be overweight as girls who watched less.

The Baby body mass index value can help you determine if your child is overweight.

USDA in April 2005 released it's interactive dietary guidelines, Mypyramid based on a new food pyramid. The old food pyramid recommended one food size for all people without consideration on exercise, so many children today are faced with weight problems. See details on Mypyramid for kids at www.mypyramid.gov.

How much fat for Children and adolescents?

Keep total fat intake between 30 to 35 percent of calories for children 2 to 3 years of age and between 25 to 35 percent of calories for children and adolescents 4 to 18 years of age, with most fats coming from sources of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, such as fish, nuts, and vegetable oils.

Obesity Facts on Child Obesity

A recent study (2005) on feeding Infants & Toddlers by Gerber Products Co, Mathematica Policy Research Inc. revealed that the eating habits that are fueling an epidemic of obesity are starting in the crib. Note what US infants and toddlers eat daily.

Item	Number of Children Eating
Item	9 - 11 months old	9 - 11 months old
Candy	3%	10%
Pizza	2%	12%
French Fries	9%	21%
Hot Dogs, Sausage or Becon	7%	25%
Sweetened Beverages	4%	23%

If you look at the fat, sugar and cholesterol contents of these food items, you will know why our children are becoming overweight. [You can find these values in nutrition and cholesterol pages.] You can always train your children to eat healthy. Swap these junk foods with healthy foods. When your children are young, they depend on you for guidance for foods. You can stop them becoming overweight. Read for healthy food swaps for kids.

While swaping foods, keep in mind that low-fat is always not good. Read the food labels. A low fat food may be loaded with sugars. A food may be rich in calcium or fibers but high in sugars, or high in iron but low in fibers. In a recent (2005) survey in Australia, only about 40 (out of 100) breakfast cereals were found healthy for children and adults. Obesity Control | Obesity Prevention< & Treatment |