Childhood - Teen Obesity and Overweight
Overweight in childhood can be a serious health problem particularly if it is present with other risk factors such as high blood pressure or diabetes. The prevalence of overweight among children aged 6 to 11 more than doubled in the past 20 years, going from 7% in 1980 to 18.8% in 2004. The rate among adolescents aged 12 to 19 more than tripled, increasing from 5% to 17.1%.
Overweight is the result of caloric imbalance (too few calories expended for the amount of calories consumed) and is mediated by genetics and health. An estimated 61% of overweight young people have at least one additional risk factor for heart disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
In addition, children who are overweight are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem.
Overweight young people are more likely than children of normal weight to become overweight or obese adults, and therefore more at risk for associated adult health problems, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.
Healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating, portion control, maintaining a healthy weight, and physical activity, can lower the risk of becoming overweight and developing related diseases.
Healthy Eating
What does “Being Healthy” really mean? Eating a variety of nutritious food gives you the stuff you need to keep your body going, including calories that your body uses for energy. A healthy person burns the energy from those calories every day by being physically active.
- BOOK: Healthy Foods, Healthy Kids, by Elizabeth M. Ward
- Download Nutrition and the Health of Young People
- Visit MyPyramid for Kids
Portion Control
Anyone eating on the run or at restaurants has probably noticed that food portions have gotten larger. Some portions are called "super size," while others have simply grown in size and provide enough food for at least two people. With this growth have come increases in waistlines and body weight.
Many people are confused about how to lose unhealthy weight. The good news is that this may be accomplished by eating healthy, balanced, and well-apportioned meals.
Physical Activity
Physical activity builds a great foundation for a healthy life. Physical activity can:
- Increase self-esteem and capacity for learning.
- Help kids handle stress.
- Build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints.
- Help control weight.
- Download Physical Activity Parent Brochure
Latest Nutritional News
Overweight And Obesity Enlarges Teenagers' Hearts
By Amy Murphy
American College of Cardiology
Medical News Today - June 3, 2006
The effects of excess weight on heart health can be seen even in adolescents, with abnormal enlargement and impaired pumping function evident in subjects by age 20, according to a new study in the June 6, 2006, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. [ read full story ]
US urges junk food makers to restrict ads to kids
By Peter Kaplan
Reuters - May 2, 2006
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. regulators urged food companies on Tuesday to voluntarily limit their advertising of sugary snacks, soft drinks and other junk food to kids to help combat childhood obesity.
The Federal Trade Commission and Department of Health and Human Services recommended expanding current, self-imposed guidelines on advertising to children, and said the industry should consider setting nutritional standards for foods marketed to kids.
"Although the (current) guides are a good foundation for industry self-regulation, the agencies believe the guides should be expanded and their enforcement enhanced," the government report said.
Public health advocates are concerned about the growing incidence of childhood obesity, which can lead to heart disease and diabetes in young adults. [ read full story ]
First lady Dr. Lynch speaks at conference on childhood obesity
By Holly Ramer
Associated Press - May 2, 2006
CONCORD, N.H. --As she prepared to address fellow pediatricians at a conference on childhood obesity, first lady Susan Lynch turned to her 13-year-old son for advice.
"Tell people they can eat whatever they want as long as they play hockey," he told her.
An oversimplification, perhaps, Lynch said Wednesday at a meeting of the New Hampshire Pediatric Society, but "he had the essence of the problem: it really is energy in, energy out."
Lynch, a pediatric cholesterol specialist at Concord Hospital, outlined the scope of the problem and how individuals, communities the government and medical professionals can work together to solve it. She praised this week's decision by major beverage distributors to end nearly all sales of non-diet soda to public schools. [ read full story ]
| Portion Doctor: Portion Plate Kid's Kit - Tableware designed to help children eat healthy, balanced meals with proper portions on their plates. |
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