What is Childhood Obesity Exactly?
By Jeff
Obesity is one of the largest epidemics in our world these days. What you may not understand is that obesity doesn’t affect only adults, it affects kids too. Let’s learn more together about childhood obesity.
When it comes to adults, there are different ways to tell if there is an obesity problem. For instance, in adults we can look at a person and tell if their weight fits their height and body style. Then, we have the big, ugly scale. Standing on it at the doctor’s office is often emotionally painful, but it is used to determine if you are at the right weight for your height as well as your age. This information forms the all important BMI or Body Mass Index which is the true measurement as it relates to obesity.
For children, it’s a little bit different. Simply looking at a child will not help you determine if they are overweight. There are modified BMI charts used specifically for children. In layman’s terms, childhood obesity is considered a problem if a child has more body mass than is normal or healthy for their age and height. The CDC says, if a child has a BMI above the 95 percentile for their age, they are obese. But each age in childhood brings with it a different set of growth circumstances that also have to be taken into consideration.
Addressing Obesity
There is no harm in consulting your pediatrician if you think your child is getting a bit thick around the mid section. Your doctor will advise you if there is anything to worry about. Some children gain weight just before they experience a growth spurt. It can appear that your child goes from skinny to chunky and then chunky to skinny in a matter of seconds. That’s why we have to be careful about diagnosing a child as obese without all the information available.
Baby fat can be cute, for a period of time. Unfortunately, some parents use this as a way to deny what’s really happening to their child. We, as parents, need to be honest with ourselves when we see our children gaining weight that is unexplained and out of control. We need to ask for help and research solutions to solve this serious health problem. Sometimes it all begins with you, the parent.
Shocking Statistics
You may have already heard many of these statistics about obesity, but they are important. Our children are bombarded with influences from outside sources on a daily basis but most of their habits begin at home.
According to the CDC, obesity among children aged 6 to 11 years increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2008. Obesity among adolescents aged 12 to 19 years increased from 5.0% to 18.1% during that same time period.
- Obese children are more likely to become obese adults.
- Children are much more likely to be obese when they have obese parents.
- Heredity accounts for about one quarter of all the obese children but shouldn’t be blamed.
Are you flabbergasted? Do these statistics shock you? They should and so maybe it’s time to do something about finding solutions to childhood obesity.
Topics: Kids Weight Loss | 2 Comments »
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March 2nd, 2011 at 3:51 pm
Jeff, Great article!
I believe that habits do begin at home. I was fortunate that my mother was very health conscience. We ate plenty of vegetables, hardly ate a sweet and fast food was a rare treat.
On the other hand my husbands family ate totally different. Canned corn was considered a vegetable and hot dogs a meal.
We have both carried that forward to what we like to eat today.
The weight issue is big! Both for obese children and ones that are on diets at young ages. I saw a poll that said 65% of 8 year old girls were restricting their eating to loose weight. 89% of those same girls were skinny.
There is soooo much mis-information out there and convenience food has be come the norm.
Lack of exercise has be come the norm too. I have 3 neighbors that drive their kids to the bus stop every day and they only live a block away.
March 3rd, 2011 at 2:06 pm
Sheila,
LOL! When I read your canned corn and hot dog story I had to laugh. Isn’t it interesting how different families have different eating habits? I have had a similar story between my family and my spouses family.
Yes, I have seen some of those stats too on girls and it is very upsetting. I’m currently reading a book called Strong Father, Strong Daughters where it talks about some of these eating issues and how dad’s can make a big difference.
Wow! Are you serious! One block away! I think my dad would have laughed at me if I asked him to take me to the bus stop. We actually had a lot of fun walking to school. It was only a mile or two away but still.