The Problem of Obesity in Children and Adolescents

• In 1999, 13% of children aged 6 to 11 years and 14% of
  adolescents aged 12 to 19 years in the United States were overweight.
  This prevalence has nearly tripled for adolescents in the past 2
  decades.
  
• Risk factors for heart disease, such as high
  cholesterol and high blood pressure, occur with increased frequency in
  overweight children and adolescents compared to children with a healthy
  weight.
  
• Type 2 diabetes, previously considered an adult
  disease, has increased dramatically in children and adolescents.
  Overweight and obesity are closely linked to type 2 diabetes.
  
• Overweight
  adolescents have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults.
  This increases to 80% if one or more parent is overweight or obese.
  Overweight or obese adults are at risk for a number of health problems
  including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and some
  forms of cancer.
  
• The most immediate consequence of
  overweight as perceived by the children themselves is social
  discrimination. This is associated with poor self-esteem and
  depression.
  

THE CAUSES OF OVERWEIGHT

• Overweight in children and adolescents is generally caused
  by lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating patterns, or a
  combination of the two, with genetics and lifestyle both playing
  important roles in determining a child's weight.
  
• Our society has become very sedentary. Television, computer and video games contribute to children's inactive lifestyles.
  
• 43% of adolescents watch more than 2 hours of television each day.
  
• Children, especially girls, become less active as they move through adolescence.
  

DETERMINATION OF OVERWEIGHT IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

• Doctors and other health care professionals are the best
  people to determine whether your child or adolescent's weight is
  healthy, and they can help rule out rare medical problems as the cause
  of unhealthy weight.
  
• A Body Mass Index (BMI) can be
  calculated from measurements of height and weight. Health professionals
  often use a BMI "growth chart" to help them assess whether a child or
  adolescent is overweight.
  
• A physician will also consider
  your child or adolescent's age and growth patterns to determine whether
  his or her weight is healthy.
  

GENERAL SUGGESTIONS

• Let your child know he or she is loved and appreciated
  whatever his or her weight. An overweight child probably knows better
  than anyone else that he or she has a weight problem. Overweight
  children need support, acceptance, and encouragement from their parents.
  
• Focus on your child's health and positive qualities, not your child's weight.
  
• Try
  not to make your child feel different if he or she is overweight but
  focus on gradually changing your family's physical activity and eating
  habits.
  
• Be a good role model for your child. If your child
  sees you enjoying healthy foods and physical activity, he or she is
  more likely to do the same now and for the rest of his or her life.
  
• Realize
  that an appropriate goal for many overweight children is to maintain
  their current weight while growing normally in height.
  

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS

• Be physically active. It is recommended that Americans
  accumulate at least 30 minutes (adults) or 60 minutes (children) of
  moderate physical activity most days of the week. Even greater amounts
  of physical activity may be necessary for the prevention of weight
  gain, for weight loss, or for sustaining weight loss.
  
• Plan family activities that provide everyone with exercise and enjoyment.
  
• Provide
  a safe environment for your children and their friends to play
  actively; encourage swimming, biking, skating, ball sports, and other
  fun activities.
  
• Reduce the amount of time you and your
  family spend in sedentary activities, such as watching TV or playing
  video games. Limit TV time to less than 2 hours a day.
  

HEALTHY EATING SUGGESTIONS


<ul>Follow the Dietary Guidelines for healthy eating (www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines).
Guide your family's choices rather than dictate foods.
Encourage your child to eat when hungry and to eat slowly.
Eat meals together as a family as often as possible.
Carefully cut down on the amount of fat and calories in your family's diet.
Don't place your child on a restrictive diet.
Avoid the use of food as a reward.
Avoid withholding food as punishment.

Interesting tru friend. . I think obesity is a very common prob not only in children but adults too n should be appropriately taken care of