Childhood Obesity: An Epidemic

Tatum Pennington10/9/13

Childhood Obesity: Key Facts• Throughout the past thirty years, children and adolescents with childhood

obesity have doubled and tripled• In 2010 over one third of all children and adolescents in the United States

were overweight or obese• An overweight child can be defined as a child with a BMI between the

85th and 95th percentile • An obese child can be defined as a child that is above the 95th percentile

for children of the same age and gender

Current Obesity Trends

• In general, the entire United States population has grown considerably over the past 30 years

1990 1997 2004 20100%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%

15%19%

25%

36%

Obesity Rates in the United States

What is causing this epidemic in children and adolescents?

• Scientists argue that there are many causes for the current overweight and obesity rates in children and adolescents including fast food, lack of exercise, soda, and larger portion sizes

The true cause of the epidemic

• Parents.

Parents are the primary cause for multiple reasons

• When children live with their parents they typically share meals and form the same eating habits

• Studies show that what parents eat, will greatly impact the type of foods that their children consume

• American eating habits are poor• According to a recent survey, every eight in ten individuals eat

fast food monthly, with more than half reporting that they eat it weekly

Why does it matter?• Childhood obesity greatly impacts America’s future generation• If not stopped could be the first generation to live sicker and die at a

younger age than parent’s generation• Leads to multiple diseases such as:

– Pre-diabetes– Type 2 diabetes– Cardiovascular disease– High blood pressure – High cholesterol– Asthma

• Direct and indirect obesity-related medical costs are increasing exponentially approximately $147 billion in 2008

What is the correct solution?• The best solution to the current childhood obesity epidemic is to better

educate parents about proper and healthier eating habits as parents directly influence their children

• Parents must change their dietary habits before they expect their children to do the same

• This increase in knowledge will stop the epidemic at the source and lead to healthier lifestyles including exercise

Some more suggested solutions

• Tax breaks for organic and healthy foods at grocery stores and restaurants to make it easier for parents to obtain better food for themselves and their children

• Mandatory classes for healthy eating and cooking at schools that involve parental attendance

Other steps taken to stop the epidemic

• Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move”– The program focuses a majority of efforts on improving the school

environment – Providing healthier food options – Promoting more physical activity– Strives to make healthy food more readily available and affordable in

low-income communities

What can you do?

• Be aware of the childhood obesity epidemic • Realize that your food choices influences the

younger generation • Promote healthy living including dieting and

exercise