As we all know, childhood obesity remains a growing problem in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014), approximately 12.5 million children and adolescents between the ages of 2-19 are obese. It's scary to know these children are at risk for developing other chronic conditions including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer.
Facts
- In the past 30 year childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents
- The percentage of obese children between the ages of 6-11 years increased from 7% in 1980 to 18% in 2012
- Th percentage of obese adolescents aged 12-19 years also saw an increase from 5% to 21% during that same time frame
(CDC, 2014)
So what has happened? How did we get to this point?
- Walking to and from school has been replaced with car and bus rides
- Gym class no longer exists
- Parents have become more busier
- Less home cooked meals and more eating out
- Children now spend more time playing with electronic devices than running around outside
- Portion sizes have EXPLODED
(Let's Move, n.d.)
Now versus Then
The Let's Move Campaign website (n.d.) created a list of how children are spending their time and what they are consuming.
- 1 in 5 school age children have up to 6 snacks a days
- The consumption of 20 ounces of sugar-sweetened beverages is normal
- 8-18 year old adolescents spend an average of 7.5 hours a day using electronic devices
- One-third of high school students get the recommended amount of physical activity
30 years ago children were far more healthier and getting the recommended amount of daily activity. Fast food was a treat and playing outside after school was the norm.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Childhood obesity facts.
Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm
Let's Move. (n.d.). Learn the facts. Retrieved from
http://www.letsmove.gov/learn-facts/epidemic-childhood-obesity
This topic is very close to the topic I am working on. I also was in a group last semester that did our presentation on childhood obesity. I was stunned at the statistics around children and obesity. You made very good points about the time that kids spend on electronics instead of going out to plan. When we were kids, you were outside the minute your mom said you were released.
ReplyDeleteI would like to ask though, you said gym class doesn't exist but I can say in the last 5 schools we have been to, gym is very present and still required. I do have a middle school aged child, so are you referring to high school?
Very excited to learn more about this topic as the semester progresses.
Interesting topic and fascinating statistics! I find childhood obesity interesting since I now have a 9 month old daughter. I look forward to seeing what prevention strategies I can start doing now to make sure she is primed for success. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI also have the same question as Sabrina - where are these lack of gym classes and is there anything being done to remedy that?
Lauren,
ReplyDeleteIn my studies about food insecurity, I've found some pretty startling information that indicates the growing obesity trend among both kids and adults is often seen in those individuals who experience food insecurity.
On it's face, it would seem like this makes no sense - for those people whose socioeconomic situation prevents them from keeping adequate food in the house, you might expect them to be below average weight. In fact, it is often just the opposite. In families where food insecurity is an issue, often the only affordable sources of food are fast food outlets which offer too much fat, salt, and sugar, and little in the way of nutrient-rich options. You can buy a bag full of burgers and fries off the dollar menu and feed an entire family for $10, but a nutritious and healthy salad at the same place costs about $6.50.
Another issue among lower-income families is the absence of safe places to get exercise. In many neighborhoods, there may not be an affordable option (a health club or community center), and many neighborhoods do not provide a safe option for exercising outdoors.
Just a few more things to think about. Thanks for addressing such an important topic.
Kelly
Hello Lauren,
ReplyDeleteI found your blog post very easy to read. I would like to note that a cause of the exponential increase in childhood obesity is the removal of recess, physical education and lack of regard for benefits of health education in school curriculums. What I find increasingly significant is how food products are marketed to children and minorities and the accessibility of processed, high sugar, and packaged foods. Many minority communities are considered food deserts due to the lack of healthy food options, such as quality grocery markets, fresh fruits and vegetables, and affordable nutritious meals.
The Public Health Law Center (2010) researches how food and beverages are marketed to young children and teens. Their research demonstrates how most often advertisers promote foods with little nutritional value. The food products that account for more than 60% marketing budgets in 2006 were breakfast cereal, fast food and sodas, (The Public Health Law Center). Companies have a wealth of resources to distribute their products, while health educators are challenged to do more with very little. How health educators could transform the marketing of nutrition dense foods is through policy advocacy.
Best,
Meisha