Childhood Obesity on the Rise

The number of overweight and obese children around the world has risen dramatically impacting their health in both physical and psychological ways. Childhood obesity is quickly becoming a leading cause of death and illness in children. A combination of the decline of physical activity, the availability of cheap, high calorie foods, and the role of genetics are being studied to find out the cause behind this alarming trend.

The number of overweight and obese children in America has more than doubled over the last twenty years according to the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics. Days spent eating sugary cereal, chips and frozen dinners in front of the TV or computer are fueling obesity - one of the country's biggest pediatric problems. Overweight and obesity are defined, respectively, as being in the 85th and 95th percentiles for body mass index.

Many overweight and obese kids suffer from dangerous, debilitating health problems including Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, heart disease, low self esteem and depression. Almost 1 million obese American kids suffer from metabolic syndrome, which is characterized by the presence of at least five criteria: excessive abdominal fat, high blood pressure, high triglyceride levels in blood, low levels of "good" HDL cholesterol, and high blood sugar. Childhood obesity also increases the risk of potentially fatal health risks later in life. Obese children are most likely to become obese adults.

As childhood obesity spreading into developing nations, it has been called a global epidemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Experts say humans are genetically unprepared for the sudden shift in readily available processed foods and decline of physical activity. Trying to target the specific causes of obesity is nearly impossible as the epidemic appears to result from many interrelated factors.

Obesity and the Built Environment

A new area of study in regards to obesity is the connection between our environment and the lack of human activity. Much of our urban landscape had been built up making it more difficult to travel by bicycle or walk. Adults and children spend more time in cars and less time walking more now than ever before. Suburban designs greatly influence levels of activity in adolescents. Neighborhoods with overall "walkability" positively enhanced the amount of time children spent being active outdoors.

Fast Food, Nutrition, and Portion Sizes

Dietary factors in relation to the obesity epidemic are just as complicated as the relationship to the built environment. While some experts believe solely on declining activity, other see the combination of fats in the diet and excessive daily caloric intake as the major reason behind the rise in obesity in teens. Researches believe the amount of calories consumed daily is rising in the population as a whole. As portion sizes grow, it has become easier for children and adults to consume large amounts of calories quickly. Most fast food and processed snacks are high in calories while low in fiber and nutrients. Portion size has a significant correlation on consumption because the larger the portion, the more people eat.

Gene-Environment Interactions in Obesity

Despite the fact that there is little scientific evidence to support it, some studies find that some populations may be more genetically predisposed to become obese than other. One of obesity's puzzling components is the variations found among different ethnic groups and nationalities. Experts generally agree that genetic factors adapt as environmental factors for obesity present themselves.

Beyond Obesity

Second to smoking, obesity is quickly becoming a leading cause of illness and death and the societal costs for the treating obesity and its related conditions are rising. Unless steps to stop the global epidemic are taken, more resources will be spent taking care of overweight and obese people.

Programs are being implemented in schools around the country to increase education about obesity, nutrition and physical activity. Kids need to learn how to make healthy choices now before weight gain becomes a problem.