About Obesity in Young Children

A pediatric cardiologist at the University of Missouri compared the health of overweight children to middle age adults due to the devastating effects of obesity on their young bodies. In a 2008 study, the thickness of the children's arteries was similar to that of much older individuals, setting the stage for future heart disease. In addition to cardiac concerns, obesity in children causes other medical and emotional problems.

Trends

• The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), estimates that 16 percent of children over the age of two are obese. Approximately 9 million American children are overweight. The fastest growing segment includes children between the ages of 6 to 11 eleven years old. The American Institute of Medicine (IOM) calls the problem an "epidemic" and advises that fighting the problem should be a national priority.

Causes

• The IOM charges the fast food industry and the public school system with reducing the healthy "energy balance" needed for young bodies to remain fit. As children eat a diet high in fat and low in nutrition, their bodies need more physical activity to offset the extra weight. Unfortunately, as public schools cut their budgets to meet funding deficits, physical education classes are among the first to go. In addition, the convenience of fast food and junk food leads to unhealthy meal and snack choices.

Concerns

• In addition to the risk of developing heart problems, obesity in children is blamed for a skyrocketing increase in the number of children diagnosed with Type II diabetes. Because this form of diabetes can silently damage a child's organs before symptoms appear, the child may suffer from irreversible organ damage by the time it's diagnosed. Obese children may also experience eating disorders, skin infections, early puberty, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of asthma.

Plans

• The IOM promotes a national plan to reduce and eventually reverse the trend of increasing childhood obesity, including a request for the federal government to implement strict nutritional standards in school lunches, improved nutritional education for parents and an increase in funding for physical education and sports for children. Under the plan, doctors would track a child's Body/Mass Index (BMI) and suggest nutritional counseling for overweight children and their parents.

Parents

• Concerned and knowledgeable parents are the first line of defense in reducing childhood obesity. By offering low fat, nutritional meal choices and by eliminating sugary sodas and junk food, children are less likely to gain excess weight. In addition, limiting television time and requiring more physical activity will allow the child to develop a healthy attitude towards fitness and nutrition that will benefit him for life.