miércoles, 25 de septiembre de 2013

Combatting Childhood Obesity | CDC Features

Combatting Childhood Obesity | CDC Features

Combatting Childhood Obesity

Recent scientific studies are beginning to show progress against the childhood obesity epidemic, but the numbers of young people affected by obesity remain at very high levels. Research has shown that declines in school-based physical activity programs and increased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages are just some of the causes of the increase in childhood obesity in the United States.

Childhood Obesity Touches Approximately 1 of 6 Young People

Obesity now affects nearly 18% of all children and adolescents in the United States, and since 1980, the number has almost tripled. The good news is there are a number of strategies communities, states, schools, and parents can use to combat the childhood obesity epidemic. In honor of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, we recognize the extent of the obesity epidemic and its associated health risks and offer strategies that work in combatting the epidemic.

What Is Childhood Obesity?

Obesity has several harmful effects. It puts a child at risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, respiratory problems, and other conditions.
Obesity is determined by a formula called body mass index (BMI). BMI is calculated by dividing body weight by height squared. Childhood obesity is defined as a BMI at or above 25 or at or above the 95th percentile. BMI does not measure body fat directly, but it is a reasonable indicator of percentage of body fat for most children and teens. You can use a simple online Child and Teen BMI Calculator to determine your child’s BMI.

Is It Getting Better?

Photo: Young girl eating appleAccording to CDC’s August 2013 Vital Signs report, after decades of rising obesity rates among low-income preschoolers aged 2–4 years, many states are now showing small declines in childhood obesity rates. Among older children, a recent CDC survey shows that school districts nationwide are making improvements by putting into action school nutrition policies and requiring physical education. Improvements in childhood obesity rates have also been noted at the local level. For example, a study conducted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and published in CDC’s Preventing Chronic Disease(PCD) reported that childhood obesity has declined in Philadelphia. A waning in the consumption of sugary beverages, which contribute to childhood obesity, has also been noted by researchers, as seen in “Declines in Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption Among Children in Los Angeles County, 2007 and 2011.” However, childhood obesity numbers are still too high. Although advances are being made in addressing the epidemic, researchers note that much work remains before childhood obesity rates begin to show a dramatic decline.

What Needs to Be Done?

The good news is we know what works. States, communities, schools, and parents can work together to help make the healthy choice the easy choice for children, adolescents, and their families by

What Can Parents Do?

A variety of environmental factors determine whether or not the healthy choice is the easy choice for children and their parents. American society has become characterized by environments that promote increased consumption of less healthful food and decreased physical activity. The good news is there are a number of steps you can take to make sure your child is healthy:

More Information

More information and research about childhood obesity is available in the following Preventing Chronic Disease articles.

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