Childhood Obesity: Causes, Effects, and Prevention

Childhood Obesity: Causes, Effects, and Prevention

Obesity is a condition where there is excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body such that it creates health problems and/or increases risk for health problems (Reilly 390). Childhood obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of greater than equal to the 95th percentile for their age and gender (Goran, Ball, and Cruz 1417). Childhood obesity is an epidemic that developed countries are facing as a major issue for children's health. The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing since 1971 in developed countries. Twenty-five percent of children in the US are overweight and 11% are obese; about 70% of obese adolescents grow up to become obese adults (Dehgan, Akhtar-Danesh, Merchant 2). The number of overweight and obese children worldwide is increasing at an alarming rate over the past years, resulting in diseases previously seen in adult life beginning to now appear in childhood (Burke 831).

Childhood obesity is due to an imbalance between caloric intake of the child and the calories utilized for growth, development, metabolism, and physical activities (Karnik and Kanekar 3). It is not surprising to see the causes of childhood obesity. Dietary factors have been consistently shown to play a major role in the global causes of childhood obesity. When unhealthy, fatty or sugary foods are consumed along with deficient amount of exercise, obesity is usually the outcome (Smolak and Thompson 161).

Numerous parental influences shape the eating habits of youth including introduction of foods, access to foods, and education regarding this topic. According to Heinberg and Thompson, a study suggested that children are four times more likely to be overweight as young adults when their mothers do not monitor their intake of sweets. Several studies suggest that breastfeeding offers a small but consistent protective effect against obesity in children (45). Therefore, the implication is that children whose mothers do not provide long enough breastfeeding may be at increased risk for obesity.

Lack of physical activity also plays a critical role in obesity. It is seen that children and teens nowadays lack the required amount of physical activity; hence, the calories are not adequately utilized and can lead to obesity (Karnik and Kanekar 3). These days children spend a great deal of time indoors watching television or playing video games. While watching television, children also frequently snack with high fat, salty, or sugary products such as potato chips or soda, and eat fewer fruits and vegetables. Children are also reducing engagement in more active outdoor pursuits (Heinberg and Thompson 47).

Some experts suggest that genetics also play a role in determining a child's size (Sothern and Gordon 102-3). Genetic factors may influence metabolism, thereby, changing the body's fat content, and/or energy expenditure. Sothern and Gordan report that children with obese parents have an 80% chance of developing obesity during their lifetime; if only one parent is obese, this risk factor declines to 40%. Remarkably, lean parents will only have a 7% chance of having obese children (102).

The obese child is at risk for a variety of conditions or diseases, which can have an impact on his or her health and well being (Ruxton 48). Diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, high cholesterol, asthma, arthritis, stroke, and sleep apnea are just a few of the co-morbidities that can develop as a result of being obese (Smolak and Thompson 100). These conditions are very serious physical ailments that would likely plague the obese child's life as an adult.

Adverse psychological and social health issues can also result due to childhood obesity (Karnik and Kanekar 3-4). According to Karnik and Kanekar, there are many mental health problems that obese children face and they are likely to suffer from low self-esteem and depression at an early age. This may have a negative effect on their behavior and also adversely affect their academic and social progress. Obese children may also feel socially discriminated and stigmatized