Childhood obesity is a medical condition that affects children. It is characterized by a weight well above
the mean for their height and age and a body mass index well above the norm. Childhood obesity is
considered by many to be an "epidemic" in Western countries, in particular, the United States, United
Kingdom and Australia. Over 15% of American children are currently considered obese, and the
number is growing and about 20-25% of Australian children classified as overweight or obese.
Causes
As with many conditions, childhood obesity can be brought on by a range of factors, often in
combination.
Acquired
Childhood obesity results from poor eating habits. It is also caused when a person's parent(s) are
obese. Fast food restaurants and junk food are popular with children. In lieu of home cooking, it has
become common for parents to take their children out to eat. Even when it is not a fast food restaurant,
frequent eating out often results in weight gain.
Children who do not engage in frequent physical activity are much more likely to suffer from obesity.
This is said to be due in part to the recent technological developments, including video games,
computers, and mobile phones. Physically inactive children are unable to burn off the calories that they
gain from eating. The body will store some or all of the unused energy as fat.
Also, children in lower-income households are more likely to become overweight than those in
higher-income households. Not eating breakfast is also associated with an increase in obesity.
Psychological Factors
These factors influence a child's eating habits and many children eat in response to stress and or
negative emotions such as boredom, anger, sadness, anxiety or depression.
Hereditary
Often, a child whose parents are overweight or obese will also be overweight or obese. Although this is
often caused by shared unhealthy eating habits in the household, it has been suggested that there
may be a genetic (inherited) predisposition towards being, although this is as yet unproven and
research is ongoing. Many children become slightly overweight because of their body's growth pattern.
Some pediatricians may still classify this as childhood obesity. Recent studies have shown that while
there is evidence of in vitro influences on food choice, perhaps the largest influence can occur during
the toddler years. Indeed, recent studies have shown that parents influence an estimated 72% of what
and how much their children eat on a daily basis.
Illness
Conditions such as hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, depression and certain neurological
problems can lead to obesity or a tendency to gain weight in a child. Also, drugs such as steroids and
some antidepressants may lead to obesity or a tendency to gain weight in a child.
Complications
Without a change in diet or exercise patterns, childhood obesity can lead to life-threatening conditions
including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep problems, cancer, and other disorders.
Studies have shown that overweight children are more likely to grow up to be overweight adults.
Obese children often suffer from teasing amongst their peers. Some are even harassed or
discriminated against by their own family. Stereotypes abound and may lead to low self esteem and
depression.
Studies
A study of 1800 children aged 2 to 12 in Colac, Australia tested a program of restricted diet (no
carbonated drinks or sweets) and increased exercise. Interim results included a 68% increase in after
school activity programs, 21% reduction in television viewing, and an average of 1 kg weight reduction
compared to a control group.
A survey carried out by the American Obesity Association into parental attitudes towards their
children's weight showed the majority of parents think that recess should not be reduced or replaced.
Almost 30% said that they were concerned with their child's weight. 35% of parents thought that their
child's school was not teaching them enough about childhood obesity, and over 5% thought that
childhood obesity was the greatest risk to their child's long term health. Although obesity is more
common in girls it is much more noticeable in boys, so that is why it is assumed that there are more
overweight boys than girls. This is because fat deposits are located in far less areas of the exterior of
the male body then the female, therefore it becomes larger in a much shorter period of time, in a
limited number of places. The main places where boys become fat is the stomach (the fattest area), the
back, and the chest. This is why boys can develop a belly roll (stomach hangs over pants) very quickly,
or large amounts of back fat, and even breasts. Also it is important to note that this swelling of the
stomach is also due to the fact that boys tend to have larger appetites than girls and therefore when
they become fat, they are fatter then the typical overweight girl.
A Northwestern University study indicates that inadequate sleep has a negative impact on a child's
performance in school, their emotional and social welfare, and increases their risk of being overweight.
This study was the first nationally represented, longitudinal investigation of the correlation between
sleep, Body Mass Index (BMI) and overweight status in children between the ages of 3 and 18. The
study found that an extra hour of sleep lowered the children's risk of being overweight from 36% to
30%, while it lessened older children's risk from 34% to 30%.
Childhood obesity