Obesity is becoming an increasing problem within today’s society, especially within children. Being overweight is defined as having excess body weight for a particular height from fat, muscle, bone, water, or a combination of all these factors. Obesity is defined as having excess body fat. Genetics, behavioural and environmental factors can affect a child’s weight. Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children within the past thirty years. Childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term effects on health and well-being.
Immediate health effects:
- Obese children are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
- Obese children are more likely to have pre-diabetes.
- Children are at a much greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem.
Long-term health effects:
- Children who are obese are more likely to be obese adults, therefore they are more likely to have health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer and osteoarthritis.
Below is a diagram showing the prevalence of obesity in children and how it has increased over the years in children aged 2-15.
Although there have been decreases within the levels of obesity, it has still increased dramatically from 1995 to 2010.
Genetic Conditions
There are a number of a rare genetic conditions that can lead to obesity including Prader-Willi, Cohen and Bardet-Biedl syndromes. In some cases genetics can play a major role in a child’s obesity level however, this is not always the case.
Diet and physical activity
The way in which we have shaped our society is without question reflected in the health of today’s children. Large food corporations have recognised that aiming their products at children will increase their marketing level. This could be due to their packaging, children see something exciting or bright colours and it immediately appeals to them. As well as this, the level of physical activity has also been decreased within children. This can be due to the wide circling of modern technology which is reeling children in and preventing them from playing outdoors or performing physical activity. The number of primary school children who walk to and from school has fallen from 62% in 1989/91 to 56% today; this again shows how obesity levels are growing.
For many obese children, obesity will continue into their adult lives. Habits established early in life are always more difficult to change, and for this reason it is important to take action to try to reverse the trend of weight gain as early as possible within a child’s life. Apart from the difficulty in changing long established habits, health risks are likely to manifest themselves earlier if obesity continues into adult life. Obesity in children increases the risk of developing many problems such as;
Physical health problems
- Increased blood pressure
- Hyperlipidaemia
- Type 2 diabetes
- Hyperinsulinaemia
- Adverse changes in left ventricular mass
- Earlier menarche
- Sleep apnoea
- Exacerbation of asthma
Psychological health problems
- Low self-esteem
- Depression
- Disordered eating
- Psychosocial distress – many obese children experience teasing, social stigma and discrimination
Childhood Obesity 