Childhood Obesity

Kayla Condrey

Cleveland Community College

 Childhood Obesity

The national childhood obesity rate according to the CDC is 18.5%. This includes

children and adolescents age 2 years of age to 19 years of age. Breaking down the prevalence

obesity by age show a trend of increasing obesity as the child ages. In children age 2-5 id 13.9%,

6 to 11 years of age of 18.4 % and 12 to 19 years of age 20.9 percent. The CDC further reports a

striking racial and ethnic disparities reported as: Hispanics 25%, Non-Hispanics blacks 22.0%,

Non-Hispanic whites 14.1% and Non-Hispanic Asians 11.0%. During 2000 to 2014 the CDC

notes a significant increase in the overall percentage of childhood obesity from 14.0 % to 15.5%.

Through a childhood obesity initiative, they were able to decrease the percentage to 14.5% from

2010 to 2014 however this continues to remain a significant problem (Childhood Obesity Facts

2019).

Childhood obesity is defined as children and youth between the ages of 2 and 18 years

who have body mass indexes (BMIs) equal to or greater than the 95th percentile of the age- and

gender-specific BMI charts developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Center

for Disease Controle, 2019). In addition to the CDC’s definition of Childhood Obesity Wechsler,

Mckenna and Dietz define that the essential cause of overweight /obesity among children and

adolescents being an excess of caloric intake compared with caloric expenditure (Wechsler,

McKenna, & Dietz, 2004).

While the obesity epidemic affects both boys and girls along with all age, race, and ethnic

groups throughout the United States, statistically obesity rates are higher among minority and

low-income children as evident by data listed above. (Childhood obesity facts, 2019). The rise in

childhood obesity is complex and involves interactions across social, environmental and political

contexts that influence eating and physical activity (Institute of Medicine, 2004). An
environment characterized by suburban designs that discourage walking, convenience unhealthy

foods, little access to affordability healthy foods, decreased physical activity at school, and

increased sedentary screen time (Institute of Medicine, 2004). According to the CDC Childhood

Prevention center children I the United States spend an average of 6-7 hours as day in school.

This provides an opportunity for us to address this epidemic affecting 1 in 5 people of school age

(Childhood Obesity Prevention 2019)

The physical, social, and emotional health consequences of obesity in children carry

grave consequences. The health care community are seeing health conditions in children that use

to only be seen in adulthood. To list a few: include high blood pressure, early symptoms of

hardening of the arteries, type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, polycystic ovary

disorder, and disordered breathing during sleep (Daniels, 2006). We are also seeing balance

issues and orthopedic problems according to the Institute of Medicine, 2004. Obesity also affects

psychological wellbeing of children and adolescents confirmed in a study in Texas associated

with depression, suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts among children and that severely obese

children score lower on health-related quality of life indicators. Obesity is one of the most

stigmatizing and least socially acceptable conditions in childhood, having a marked impact on

childhood psychological development (Texas Department of, 2004).

The CDC has a focus for childhood obesity prevention with a focus on nutrition, physical

activity with the involvement of parents, caregivers and community involvement. They see the

importance of school involvement and have developed guidelines to promote healthy food

choices and physical activity while in school (Childhood Obesity Prevention 2019). In the past

three decades childhood obesity has tripled pushing the CDC and other organizations to develop

guidelines for schools as an attempt to lower this percentage. They state that “the schools have

the responsibility to prevent obesity and promote healthy activity and healthy eating through
policy, practices and a supportive environment.” (2019). Guidelines were developed to aid in this

process. However, recognizing that one set of guidelines may not adapt to all schools they

developed several so that the schools could choose which set of guidelines were the most

appropriate for their school (Childhood Obesity Prevention 2019). The CDC out lines nine

guideline which are listed as:

1. “Coordinated approach to develop, implement and evaluate healthy eating and

physical activity policies and practices”

2. “Establish school environments that support healthy eating and physical activity”

3. Provide a quality school meal program and ensure that students have only

appealing, healthy food and beverage choices offered outside of the school meal

program”

4. “Implement a comprehensive physical activity program with quality physical

education as the cornerstone”

5. “Implement health education that provides students with the knowledge, attitudes,

skill, and experiences needed for healthy eating and physical activity”

6. “Provide students with health, mental, health and social services to address

healthy eating, physical activity and related chronic disease prevention”

7. “Partner with families and community members in the development and

implementation of healthy eating and physical of healthy eating and physical

activity polices, practices and programs”

8. “Provides a school employee wellness program that includes healthy eating and

physical activity services for all school staff members”

9. “Employ qualified persons and provide professional development opportunities

for physical development, opportunities for physical education, health education,

 nutrition services and health, mental health and social service staff members, as

well as staff members who supervise recess, cafeteria time and out of school time

programs” (CDC 2019)

These guidelines provide a comprehensive approach to address childhood obesity

and will ultimately help the overall health of future Americans. The shocking statistics of

this epidemic should concern us all as Americans. This will ultimately affect the status of

all future Americans. As this issue grows it has the potential to cripple on our health care

system resulting in a health care and financial strain on this country. As a recent high

school student, the culture of change in diet and activity was not well accepted when

Michelle Obama change the meals in our school cafeteria. Many students, including

myself, avoided school lunches and brought in food instead. This concept although a

great one cannot be started in the high school phase however should be implemented at

birth to insure its success. The guidelines although through will be difficult to implement

as most individuals are resistant to change.

 Reference list

Center for Health Improvement. (2008). Childhood obesity: Using school programs to

encourage increased physical activity among youth (Health Policy Guide). . Retrieved October

30, 2008, from http:/ / www.healthpolicyguide.org

“Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/.
“Childhood Obesity Facts | Overweight & Obesity | CDC.” Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html.

Daniels, S. (2006). The consequences of childhood overweight and obesity. The Future of

Children, 16(1), 47-67.

Texas Department of Health. (2004). Psychological impact of obesity on school-aged

children (S.B. 474). . Retrieved October 30, 2008, from http:/ / www.dshs.state.tx.us/ obesity/

pdf/ psychological%20impact%obesity.pdf

“The State of Childhood Obesity.” The State of Obesity, 2019,

www.stateofobesity.org/childhood/.