Childhood Obesity

Who is responsible?

Childhood obesity rates are increasing in

the U.S.

Look at the rates for adults

1985 2010

Childhood obesity rates are increasing at an alarming rate

aspe.hhs.gov sbm.org

• Children

Who can benefit from childhood obesity education?

• Parents• Society

• Type II Diabetes

Childhood obesity can lead to:

• Insulin Resistance Syndrome

Insulin Resistance Syndrome

A group of cardiovascular disease risk factors that have become present in children as

young as 5 years old

These include:

• Hypertension

• Dyslipidemia

• Chronic inflammation

• Increased blood clotting tendency

• Endothelial dysfunction

• Hyperinsulinaemia

Costs?

Permanent reduction of kcal of at least 100/d could eliminate about 71.2 million cases of

overweight/obese and save about $58 billion annually; reduction in about 400 mg/d Na would eliminate 1.5 million cases and save

$2.3 billion; lowering Sat Fat intake by 5 g/d can eliminate 3.9 million cases and save $2

billion annually

retireat21.com

A lot of research has been done

How can we combat this epidemic?

• Breastfeeding?

• Community involvement?

• Parental nutrition education?

Solutions

• Cook at home– Plan meals ahead

• Shop locally– Farmer’s market

• Incorporate more fruits, vegetables and whole grains

• Shop “in season” foods:– Fall: squash,

broccoli– Spring: asparagus,

strawberries– Summer:

blueberries, tomatoes

– Winter: kale, pears

Sources Cited

Ebbeling CB, Pawlak DB, Ludwig DS. Childhood obesity: public-health crisis, common sense cure. The Lancet 2002;360:473-482.

Dall, T. M., Fulgoni III, V. L., Zhang, Y., Reimers, K. J., Packard, P. T., & Astwood, J. D. Potential Health Benefits and Medical Cost Savings From Calorie, Sodium, and Saturated Fat Reductions in the American Diet. The Science of Health Promotion. 2009;412 - 422.