Childhood Obesity: The Epidemic

Childhood Obesity: The Epidemic

Our nation is in a crisis when it comes to our children and the future of our children. Nearly one-third of our nation’s children are obese. Obese children are at risk for health and psychological problems and may even be at risk of living shorter lives. There are many factors that contribute to the epidemic of childhood obesity some of these factors can be controlled and others cannot. Our nation needs to develop a significant plan or a series of plans to help fight and cure the epidemic of obese children. The reversal and cure of the obesity epidemic in children is crucial for the future of our country.

Statistics

The overweight statistics for children in the United States has grown tremendously in the last three decades. According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (2006), four separate studies show that from 1974 to 2004, in children age two through five the overweight prevalence has increased from 5 percent to 13.9 percent. Children age six through eleven the overweight prevalence has increased from 4 percent to 18.8 percent. Adolescents age twelve through nineteen the overweight prevalence has increased from 6.1 percent to 17.4 percent.

Figure 1. Prevalence of Overweight Among U.S. Children and Adolescents. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2006, August 26). Childhood overweight. Retrieved April 29, 2007, from http://www.cdc.gov

Psychological Consequences

There are psychological consequences to children who are overweight. “Overweight children and adolescents are targets of early and systematic social discrimination. The psychological stress of social stigmatization can cause low self-esteem which, in turn, can hinder academic and social functioning, and persist into adulthood” (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006). Family, friends, peers, and even strangers ridicule and even bully obese children, causing or leading to their anxiety and depression. Overweight children are prone to display unhealthy behaviors such as extreme dieting, skipping meals, and prolonged TV watching. In addition, overweight children may do poorly in their school performance.