Its More Than Just Weight

Children who are obese as adolescents have a 70% chance of being obese adults. This puts them at risk for: Joint pain Muscle Weakness Osteoarthritis Heart Disease Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus High Blood Pressure High Cholesterol Coronary Artery Disease, Heart Failure, Stroke Sleep Apnea Breast, colon, esophagus, pancreas and thyroid cancers Premature Death

Stats and Statistics

In the past 30 years, childhood obesity has tripled in adolescents, and doubled in children. More than one third of children are overweight or obese. Percentage of obese children and adolescents has increased by 10% since 1980. Health care cost related to adolescent obesity is estimated at $254 billion. If the growth of obesity continues at this rate, by 2030, 16-18% of health care costs would be due to obesity.

PEDIATRIC OBESITY:
How We Can Help

An Informative Brochure for Health Care Professionals

What is Pediatric Obesity?

Obesity is defined as having excess body fat. Pediatric and adolescent obesity are classified as a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile when compared to children or adolescents of the same age and sex. For access to a BMI calculator, please visit: http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/dnpabmi/

Contributing Factors
Obesity is a genetic disease, however environmental factors play a very large role in the development of the disease. Factors include: Inactivity Unhealthy diet Family lifestyle Stress Lack of sleep Economic and social issues

How We Can Help

EDUCATE: Parents and children need to be informed of the risks of obesity. Many people do not know HOW to change their lifestyles. It is the job of health care professionals to show that change is possible. NUTRITION: Focus on eating balanced meals throughout the day. Recommend low calorie, high density foods including: fruits and vegetables, lean meats, healthy fats, beans and lentils, and low-fat dairy. Limit salt and sugar intake. BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION: Trained health care professionals can help families and children get to the root of their issues. Learning how to make lasting lifestyle changes is crucial to sustainable weight loss and the treatment of obesity. Therapists can also help children who struggle with the emotional effects of obesity. STRENGTH TRAINING: To decrease body fat and increase muscle mass, strength training exercise 2-3 times per week is recommended. CARDIOVASCULAR ENDURANCE: Encourage 60 minutes of moderatevigorous activity daily. These 60 minutes do not need to be consecutive. They can be broken up into increments throughout the day. Using a VO2 Max range of 60-85% is a good way to prescribe exercise intensity. SET GOALS: Especially with children, setting attainable goals is one way to motivate children and families to change their habits. Goals could be running a race with friends, trying a new sport, being able to do 10 pushups, etc ADVOCATE: is imperative to raise awareness of the disease [and] ensure access to safe and effective treatment Obesity Advocacy

References
1. American Academy of Pediatrics. Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Overweight and Obesity. What health professionals can do. http://www2.aap.org/obesity/health_professionals.html?technology=0. Accessed October 21, 2013. 2. Bariatric Surgery Source. Child Obesity Statistics and Teenage Obesity Statistics: 1963Present. http://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/child-obesity-statistics.html. Accessed October 11, 2013. 3. Crocker MK, Yanovski JA. Pediatric obesity: etiology and treatment. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2009;38(3):525-48. 4. Hannibal Regional Hospital. Physical Therapy Helping to Combat Childhood Obesity. http://hrhonline.org/PatientsVisitors/NewsMedia/News/articleType/ArticleView/artic leId/264/Physical-Therapy-Helping-to-Combat-Childhood-Obesity.aspx. Accessed October 11, 2013. 5. Peterson, J. Scwarz. S. W. National Center for Children in Poverty. Adolescent Obesity in the United States. http://www.nccp.org/publications/pub_977.html. Accessed October 11, 2013.