According to a 2007 report by the Trust for American's Health, approximately 25 million children ages of 6 to 17 in the United States are either overweight or obese. Child obesity is increasing and it is considered by many to be an epidemic in developed Western countries such as Australia, Canada England andthe United States.



Childhood obesity is a very real issue that is affecting millions of children each day and many parents do not realize how serious it is. Paediatricians are becoming concerned about health problems among children that were rare in the past and this can be attributed to the increasing rate of child obesity. Poor quality of life, poor self-esteem and impaired social skills as well as a myriad of health complications can also be attributed to the increase in child obesity.

When a person is more than 20 percent above their Ideal Body Weight (IBW), they are considered obese. Obesity can also be calculated using body mass index (BMI). For children, obesity is present when total body weight is more than 25 percent fat in boys and more than 32 percent fat in girls.

Problems of Obesity

Obesity is one of the worst health risks existing today because of the broad range of other diseases which it causes or makes worse. Obesity is associated with high triglycerides and decreased HDL cholesterol, and is the major cause of type 2 diabetes. Obesity can cause resistance to insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar.

Obesity is associated with significant increases in high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, hyperlipidemia, degenerative joint disease and psychosocial disability. Depression and problems of self image and with body dissatisfaction are also linked to obesity.

It is widely recognised to be a serious medical problem resulting in myriad distressing illnesses and is associated with increased mortality and morbidity (shortening life expectancy).

Problems Caused by Child Obesity

Being obese as a child can have a lifelong impact. As well as the same problems that adults face, research has shown that children who are obese or overweight often have weight problems when they grow up. Overweight adolescents have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults.

Increased average blood pressure, heart rate and cardiac output when compared to non-obese peers is a symptom on obesity in children. Teasing from their peers is often a problem with overweight children.

Being obese also affects school attendance as well, possibly leading to academic problems later. Abnormal indices of lipolysis, including high cholesterol levels (greater than 170 mg per dL) have been associated with obesity in children.

What is the Solution?

Overeating and exercising too little are usually the causes of childhood obesity. Obese children have been found to be 35% less active on school days and 65% less active on weekends compared to non-obese children. Parents should be role models on exercise and healthy eating and give their children guidance. Children of all ages will enjoy life better if healthy foods exercise are part of their life style.

If one or both parents are obese, children are more likely to be obese also. Because children and parents tend to eat the same food, parents can help their kids by addressing their own weight issues and following a healthy lifestyle that they'd like their children to emulate. Ridding their kitchens of junk foods and acting as role models by monitoring their eating habits and not eating junk will have a positive effect on theirchildren.

The fact that parents rarely exercise is part of the problem of child obesity is as well.

Participate in fun backyard sports with your children and consider taking up a sport with them or one that you practised when young.

A stressful environment, such as one where the child's parents are having marital problems, or the child is mentally or physically abused, can cause a child to turn to food. They can easily overeat at this point which can start the child on the road to obesity.

Rules for the home by parents can also help reinforce the healthy lifestyle. Parents also must be concerned enough with their childrens obesity to want to do something to solve it.

The issue of childhood obesity needs to be tackled by parents to ensure that their children grow up to be happy and health adults. You need to set your children a good example on exercise and healthy eating. Dont't be lazy.