Obesity in children
Children are growing fatter at a rapid rate. The number of overweight children has doubled in recent years. The development of fatness in children is disturbing because it causes ill-health and is very difficult to reverse.
Overweight children are very likely to be overweight adults.
Overweight and obesity
Overweight and obesity in children are among the most important risks to children’s long and short-term health. As with adults, the body will store fat when the energy (kilojoules) consumed from food and drink is greater than the energy used up in activities and when at rest. Small imbalances over long periods of time can result in a child becoming overweight or obese.
A worldwide problem
Levels of childhood obesity are increasing at alarming rates in many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. In Australia, one in five children and adolescents are either overweight or obese.
From 1985 to 1995 the number of overweight 7–15 year olds almost doubled. The numbers of obese children has more than tripled. Over the same period, there has been a huge increase in children’s consumption of energy-dense foods, such as:
Cakes and biscuits (46 per cent increase)
Soft drinks (30–50 per cent increase)
Confectionary (40–56 per cent increase)
Sugar products and dishes (60–136 per cent increase).
At the current rate, it is predicted that 65 per cent of young Australians will be overweight or obese by 2020.
Changing society has also contributed to obesity
As overweight and obesity have become more common, there have been some major changes in how we live. For example: The overall cost of food has gone down.
More food is prepared away from home.
Energy-dense foods and drinks are more readily available. Portion sizes of energy-dense foods have increased.
Marketing of energy-dense foods and drinks has increased. The use of private transport has increased.
The number of two-income families has increased.
The time spent in paid employment has increased.
The role of physical education in the school curriculum has reduced.
Body mass index can determine if a child is obese
Growth charts, such as weight-for-age and weight-for-height, are used to monitor the physical progress of children. However, there are now also BMI guidelines in relation to childhood obesity.
A child or adolescent’s body mass index (BMI) is determined by dividing their weight (kilograms) by their height (m2).
BMI and obesity
Children above these cut-off points are considered obese: 2 year old children – 19.81 for girls and 20.09 for boys
5 year old children – 19.17 for girls and 19.3 for boys
10 year old children – 24.11 for girls and 24 for boys
15 year old children – 29.11 for girls and 28.30 for boys
18 years and over – 30 for both males and females.
BMI and overweight
Children above these cut-off points are considered overweight: 2 year old children – 18.02 for girls and 18.41 for boys
5 year old children – 17.15 for girls and 17.42 for boys
10 year old children – 19.86 for girls and 19.84 for boys
15 year old children – 23.94 for girls and 23.29 for boys
18 years and over – 25 for both males and females.
Obesity in childhood leads to obesity in adulthood
Overweight or obese children are more likely to remain obese as adolescents and become overweight or obese adults. Adolescence appears to be a sensitive period for the development of obesity – about 80 per cent of obese adolescents will become obese adults.
Studies suggest that being obese as a child or adolescent increases the risk of a range of diseases and disorders in adulthood, regardless of whether the adult is obese or not. It’s important to identify and start to reverse the condition before children become adults. Ideally, overweight and obesity should be prevented.
Health problems associated with obesity
Potential health problems for obese children include:
Type 2 diabetes
Cardiomyopathy
Pancreatitis
Liver problems
Orthopaedic disorders (problems with foot structure)
Respiratory disorders such as upper airway obstruction and chest wall restriction, resulting in sleep apnoea Reflux, gallstones and other stomach conditions
Eating disorders such as bulimia.
Social problems for obese children and adolescents
Obesity also has a major impact on how a child feels about themselves and how they interact with others. Obese adolescents are more likely to have low self-esteem, which may impact on other aspects of their lives, such as the development of friendships and competency at school.
For more information on health problems of all kinds please visit The Better Health Channel - a free service provided by the Victorian government. This article is an extract from that site.
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