What are the Risk Factors for Childhood Obesity?

Childhood obesity is a reality that affects 16 percent of children in the U.S. alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control. While many associate childhood obesity with an excess of food, the truth is that the causes are more complicated than that. From medical conditions to environmental factors, a child's risk for obesity increases significantly if certain conditions are present.

Diet

• As in the case of adults, a diet too high in calories will lead to obesity. This is especially true of kids who consume too many sugars on a regular basis in the form of baked goods, sodas and vending machine snacks. Families who eat out a lot also have a higher risk for obesity, as restaurant food (particularly fast food) tends to be higher in fat than things cooked at home.

Lack of Exercise

• Inactivity is another major factor in childhood activity. The CDC estimates that kids spend an average of three hours a day watching TV or playing video games. In comparison, most kids spend less than three hours a week playing outside, practicing sports or doing any type of physical activity. Lack of exercise, coupled with a high-calorie diet, will lead to weight gain over time. If the parents are inactive as well, chances are kids will grow up believing this is the standard and will be less likely to become active during their teen years. Kids who sleep too little or too much (less than eight or more than thirteen hours a day) are also more predisposed to being obese.

Genetics

• Children of obese parents are more likely to be obese, according to a study by BMJ Online First. This is especially true if both parents are obese, which may indicate a medical condition or an environment in which inactivity and a diet high in fat are the norm. Children of obese parents have a higher risk of being obese before they reach the age of 7. Women who experienced obesity during pregnancy are also prone to have babies who are overweight and toddlers who become obese by the time they turn 3.

Socioeconomic Factors

• Families who are below the poverty line are more likely to raise obese kids than those earning a higher income. This is because a lower paycheck usually means that healthier foods, such as produce and whole grains, are out of the family's reach. Families with money problems are more likely to eat at fast food places rather than sit-down restaurants, where lower-fat options are more likely to be found.

Early Life

• Not only how much a baby weighs at birth is important, but also how fast he gains weight, especially during the first year of life. Rapid growth, unusually large weight gains and early development of body fat are all signs that point to an increased chance for obesity. If other factors are present, such as a poor diet or parental obesity, the chances are even higher than the child will become obese himself.