Preventing and Treating Childhood Overweight and Obesity

HealthWatch for December 2005
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“As a society, we can no longer afford to make poor health choices such as being physically inactive and eating an unhealthy diet; these choices have led to a tremendous obesity epidemic.”
Vice Admiral Richard H. Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS
U.S. Surgeon General

Childhood obesity is one of the most serious health problems facing American children today. About 15% of Americans aged 6-19 years are overweight.  Over the last three decades, the number of overweight and obese children in the U.S. has tripled.

Consequences for overweight and obese children include:

Increased risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis-related disabilities and some cancers
Poor self-esteem and self-image
70% chance of becoming an overweight or obese adult
Increased medical costs – in the past 20 years, annual obesity-associated hospital costs for children have tripled

Poor diet and lack of exercise are the usually cited as the two main culprits.  Trends in the American lifestyle, such as increased television watching and larger portion sizes are considered contributing factors.  Also, analysts note that the amount of fruits and vegetables in the average American child’s diet is down, while the consumption of high-caloric carbonated beverages, candy and fast food is on the rise. More calories without increasing activity levels can result in weight gain.

Almost one in four American children do not engage in any free-time activity.  Even fewer kids report involvement in organized sports.  Black, Hispanic and children with parents who had lower incomes and education levels were significantly less likely than white children to report involvement in organized activities.

Any weight loss program for a child should be supervised by a physician.  For example, an overweight child who is still growing may not need to lose weight. Simply modifying diet and increasing activity may allow the child to “grow into” their weight.  Below are several resources to help parents and caregivers understand this problem and help children in need.

Sources:  American Academy of Family Physicians, National PTA:  Healthy Lifestyles, Childhood Obesity

Local Resources

Cleveland Clinic Health Information
Cleveland Clinic:  Obesity in Children
Healthy Ohioans:  Weight Management
Ohio Department of Education:  Child Nutrition Services
Ohio Department of Education:  Ohio Team Nutrition
Ohio Public Health Association:  Childhood Overweight and Obesity
Summa Health Systems
University Hospitals Health System:  Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital

National Resources

American Obesity Association:  Childhood Obesity
Center for Disease Control:  Obesity and overweight
Community Preventive Services Review: Obesity
Helping your Overweight Child
Medline Plus: Obesity in Children
Parents Magazine:  All About Healthy Eating
Preventing Obesity, What Schools Can Do
Sesame Street:  Healthy Habits for Life
The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity
WeCan:  Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity & Nutrition
WeCan Parent Handbook (pdf download)

For Kids

Eat Smart Play Hard
Kid’s Poll:  Students weigh in about obesity
U.S. Department of Agriculture for Kids