The Prevalence Of Childhood Obesity Essay - 1860 Words

The prevalence of childhood obesity in the United States has greatly increased in the past two to three decades 1, while incidence of obesity has doubled worldwide since 1980 2. Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates over 170 million children and adolescents worldwide are overweight. Particularly in the United States, prevalence of obesity in children has increased from 13.9% in 1999 to 31.8% in 2010 3. After nearly two decades of increase, the rates have started to plateau 4. Thresholds of body-mass-index (BMI) have been used internationally to define underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity in adults and children1. In the U.S., a child is defined as overweight if BMI is between the 85th and 95th percentile for children and teens of the same age and sex. A BMI at or above the 95th percentile is considered obese 5. Weight gain in children is a result of an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure 6. Therefore, a combination of overeating, incr eased caloric intake and decreased activity all contribute to an â€Å"energy gap† which ultimately result in children becoming overweight or obese. The obesity and overweight epidemic is influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors which may contribute to weight gain in children. In addition to these factors, there are health disparities such as: gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status putting populations at risk for becoming obese. However, recent research suggest theShow MoreRelatedChildhood Obesity : The Prevalence Of Obesity1525 Words   |  7 PagesIn recent years, the world’s prevalence of obesity in children has increased alarmingly in most of the countries. It is estimated that 170 million of children under 18 years old are overweight, in the US there is a 30% prevalence of obesity, similarly 27% of children in Mexico are obese (OCDE, 2014; Gutià ©rrez et al., 2012). In some countries like East Germany, New Zealand, the Netherlands an d Canada the prevalence of overweight children had risen by one percentage point each year (Wang LobesteinRead MoreThe Prevalence Of Childhood Obesity1678 Words   |  7 PagesThe prevalence of childhood obesity has remained a serious matter in the United States over the years despite its recent decline (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). Children who are obese can experience the same devastating health effects as adults who are obese – cardiovascular issues, diabetes, breathing problems, and so forth. In addition, children who are obese are more than likely to become obese as adults, therefore the development of a health fair that would highlight increasedRead MoreThe Importance Of Childhood Obesity In Canada1072 Words   |  5 PagesThe prevalence of childhood obesity is growing at a frightening rate. By definition, children ages 2-17 years of age that are at, or above the 95th percentile for BMI are obese (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017 ). On the global scale, Canada is ranked eleventh highest for childhood obesity (OECD, 2014) with more than one in four children in Canada being obese (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2012). 31.5% of Canadian children aged 5 to 17 were overweight (19.8%) or obese (11.7%) inRead MoreEssay on Childhood Obesity1599 Words   |  7 PagesChildhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. The problem is global and is steadily affecting many low- and middle-income families particularly in the United States. The socioeconomic status of these families contributes to the childhood obesity epidemic. Summary of Article 1 The article, â€Å"Beliefs about the Role of Parenting in Feeding and Childhood Obesity among Mothers of Lower Socioeconomic Status† is a study that was conducted by Alison KalinowskiRead MoreThe World Health Organization (Who, 2016) Has Recognized1510 Words   |  7 Pages The World Health Organization (WHO, 2016) has recognized childhood obesity as one of the most significant public health issues of the 21st century. In 2011-2014, the prevalence of obesity among children living in the United States aged 2-19 was 17% (Ogden, Carroll, Fryar, Flegal, 2015). While this percentage has stabilized in the past 10 years, millions of children are affected by this disease and at risk for chronic comorbities (Shapiro, Arevalo, Tolentino, Machuca, Applebaum, 2014). UnfortunatelyRead MoreSurgeon General Project: Childhoudd Obesity1734 Words   |  7 PagesSURGEON GENERAL PROJECT Childhood Obesity Over the last few decades the prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents has been steadily increasing in the United States drawing immediate concern for the coming generations and the overall health and well-being for society. While addressing this concern, a matter of significance has to be reviewed to undoubtedly warrant the attention of the nation and propose factors of government, community, organizational, and individual involvement. AccordingRead MoreChildhood Obesity Is A National Epidemic1406 Words   |  6 PagesChildhood obesity is a national epidemic. Nearly 1 in 3 children (ages 2-19) in the United States is overweight or obese, putting them at risk for serious health problems. Studies show that overweight kids are likely to become overweight and obese adults. This is a significant issue in the U.S. and needs to be monitored closely. Some parents are in denial that their children are obese and do not do anything to help or prevent it. When obesity is a problem at a young age it is very easy to have, itRead MorePrevalence Of Overweight And Obesity Essay1249 Words   |  5 PagesThe aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of overweight/obesity among parents of children entering childhood obesity treatment and to evaluate changes in the parents’ weight during their child’s treatment (Trier, 2016). The study included the parents of 1,125 children and adolescents (aged 3-22) who were enrolled in a children obesity treatment program. They began by taking the heights and weights of the children and the BMI scores were calculated. After 2.5 years of treatment, theRead MorePreventing Chilhood Obesity : Parenting Programme For Early Years1073 Words   |  5 PagesCHILHOOD OBESITY – PARENTING PROGRAMME FOR EARLY YEARS BACKGROUND Obesity, defined as ‘an excessive amount of body fat relative to body weight’ (Heyward, 2010, p.232) has reached global epidemic proportions and it is the fifth leading risk for global deaths with 2.8 million adults dying every year (World Health Organization, 2013). In addition, worldwide, more than 40 million children under the age of 5 were overweight in 2011 (World Health Organization, 2013a). Consequently, childhood obesity is becomingRead MoreReduced Energy Expenditure And Prevalence Obesity Rates Among Children928 Words   |  4 Pagesexpenditure has contributed to prevalence obesity rates among children. Demographic and epidemiologic analysis alone do not account for the high rates in childhood obesity. These analysis help provide a clearer understanding of why obesity is a national epidemic. It is significant as public health officials to know that there are substantial racial differences in obesity among young kids and teenagers in the United States. Among Hispanics for instance, the incidence of obesity was higher in 2011-2012