Childhood Obesity

February 11, 2016West Coast PediatricsBlog, Obesity

18% of children aged 6-11, and 21% of teens aged 12-19 are obese. These numbers are double what they were 30 years ago. Combined, more than 30% of children are obese. Contributing factors of childhood obesity include the lack of exercise to account for the amount of caloric intake, and genetics. Today kids are more likely to play on their electronic device than play outdoors.

Health complications from obesity are both immediate and long term. Immediate effects can be cholesterol, high blood pressure, prediabetes, or even diabetes. Later in life, these children will become obese adults. Obese adults can suffer from many different types of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

Promoting a healthy lifestyle is one key to preventing obesity. These habits can be influenced at home, school and even through media. If children are taught healthy eating and exercise at a young age, these habits can be practiced well into adulthood. Remember these are children, exercise is getting up of the couch and playing (riding bikes, kickball, basketball, jump rope, tag, etc.). Exercise should be fun not a chore.