Childhood obesity has more than doubled over the past 30 years in the United States, with nearly 1 in 3 children now overweight or obese. Obese children face increased risks of health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and social stigmas. The document outlines problems contributing to childhood obesity like unhealthy eating at home and school, sedentary lifestyles, and lack of physical education, and provides solutions such as preparing nutritious family meals, increasing physical activity, and better funding for school physical education programs. A multifaceted approach is needed to significantly reduce childhood obesity.
2. The Epidemic
• Childhood obesity is a modern epidemic that has more than
doubled over the past 30 years.
– In 1980, nearly 7% of kids aged 6-11 was obese.
– Today, nearly 18% of children in the United States is obese.
– About 1 in 3 kids and adolescents in the U.S. is overweight or
obese.
• While there have been slight declines in recent years,
childhood obesity numbers remain high.
• Childhood obesity gives way to a wide range of issues and
increased health risks.
3. Psychosocial Risks
• Obese children are victims of social discrimination, bias,
and negative stigmas.
• A University of Michigan study found that obese children
are 1.6 times more likely to be bullied.
• Social stigmas can lead to low self-esteem, leading to
problems in academic and social settings.
4. Heart Disease Risks
• Obese kids show several risk factors for cardiovascular
disease, including:
– High blood pressure
– Irregular glucose tolerance
– High cholesterol
• In a sample, nearly 60% of overweight kids had at least one
risk factor for heart disease. Almost 25% of that same
sample had two or more risk factors.
5. Other Health Risks
• Asthma: Blocked or narrowed airways, causing difficulty
breathing and participating in physical activties.
• Type 2 diabetes: High blood sugar caused by a glucose
intolerance. Type 2 diabetes can lead to kidney failure and
cardiovascular diseases.
• Cancer: Obesity has been linked to several forms of cancer
including cancer of the kidney, thyroid, esophagus, and
rectum.
6. Kids who are obese are more likely to be obese when they grow up,
making them more susceptible to adult health problems.
7. Problem: Unhealthy eating at
home
• Thanks to the convenience of prepacked foods and fast food joints,
more kids are eating processed foods
filled with sugar, salt, and excess
calories.
Solutions
• Prepare healthier family meals packed with:
– Fruits and veggies
– Lean protein (fish, poultry, beans)
– Whole grains
• Limit consumption of foods that are high in
saturated fat and added sugar.
• Throw out sugary, salty snacks and other
temptations that are rich in empty calories.
• Replace sodas, juices from concentrate, and
other sugary drinks with water, milk, and
fresh-squeezed juice.
• Serve smaller portions.
8. Problem: Unhealthy eating at Solutions
school
• Increase access to free, clean drinking water
while limiting sales of sodas and sugary
beverages.
• Although schools on the local level
have been making changes to
• Push for quality school meal programs that:
nutrition policies, there must be a
– Promote access to school meals.
greater, nationwide push for
– Provide meals that are both nutritious and
healthier school meals.
appealing to kids. For example, an organization
called Child Obesity 180 has pushed for the
Breakfast Initiative, which aims to provide schools
with delicious but nutritious breakfasts.
– Ensure that all foods and beverages served outside
of the program—like in vending machines—are
healthy and delicious. Child Obesity 180’s
Restaurant Initiative looks to increase healthy menu
options on restaurant menus.
• Promote thorough, in-depth nutrition
education to teach kids what they’re eating
and how those foods affect them.
9. Problem: Sedentary lifestyle
• With the growth of computers,
video games, and TVs, kids are
spending more time glued to
screens indoors instead of staying
active. Kids and teens should
partake in 60 minutes of physical
activity at least 5 days a week.
Solutions
• Lead by example. Kids imitate adults
and are more likely to stay active when
their parents are active as well.
• Limit sedentary time. Kids should
spend no more than two hours a day
watching TV, playing video games, or
surfing the Internet.
• Encourage kids to find activities that
involve more movement and motion.
• Push for initiatives that aim to create
and maintain safe public spaces for
physical activity, like parks and
playgrounds.
10. Problem: Cuts to physical
education
• According to the National
Association for Sport and Physical
Education, the average budget for
PE programs in the U.S. is just $764
a year, leading to a lack of proper
equipment and an inability to hire
knowledgeable staff.
Solutions
• Promote better funding for
school PE programs.
• Support daily physical education
within classrooms, not just
during PE class.
• Push for afterschool programs
that encourage activity.
11. A Problem with our Environment
• Many of the problems causing childhood obesity are a part
of the environment our kids are growing up in.
• Making a significant impact on childhood obesity requires
communitywide participation, from improved physical
education to providing grocery stores with incentives for
selling healthier foods.
12. Leading by Example
Along with local and
nationwide initiatives, parents
and guardians can help by
raising kids to know the
importance of a healthy
lifestyle that includes physical
activity and wholesome foods.
14. Sources
• Images
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“Lunch Break” by Leon Fishman is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“A Matched Set” by Tobyotter is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Apple” by Tdring is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Two kids play on the football field at Golden Gate Park
_K8P0892” by mikebaird is licensed under CC BY 2.0
– “Sports Volunteering Scheme” by University of Exeter is licensed
under CC BY 2.0
– “PlanetBox school lunch - square animal face sandwiches,
cucumber slices, apple slices, organic gummy bears, puzzle piece
crackers” by anotherlunch.com is licensed under CC BY 2.0
