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Obesity

As the obesity rates in the U.S. continue to rise, childhood obesity is an ever-pressing concern for the public health.  Children between the ages of two to five have experienced an increase in obesity rates, which have nearly tripled.  The rise in obesity rates for adolescents aged twelve to nineteen has more than tripled.  The most significant increase from 4% to 19% (quadrupled increase) has been seen in children in the six to eleven age ranges.  As of 2005, 17.1% of children in the U.S. were overweight.  This number tallies up to nine million obese American children.  Of these 9 million children, nearly thirty percent did not exercise more regularly. 

As part of living healthy, health experts recommend regular exercise three or more days a week.  Obese adults generally begin or implement their unhealthy eating, exercise, and lifestyle habits as adolescents.  As parents and pediatricians, teaching and giving these children the best possible healthy lifestyle is vital in pre-determining the healthy or unhealthy nature of a child’s future eating, exercising, and lifestyle habits.

Obesity creates significant health risks for children and teenagers.  Just a few of these health risks include the psychological effects of poor self-esteem, sleep apnea, asthma, and increased risks for developing heart disease.  Chances that an overweight adolescent will be obese and overweight as an adult are as high as 70%.  For many, once the pattern of an obese lifestyle begins the habits do not change over the course of a lifetime.  The health risks, which can result later as an overweight adult, include heart disease, strokes, diabetes and some cancers.  For many Americans, this decision to lead a sedentary, high calorie lifestyle ultimately leads to an untimely and early death.  Preventing this fate begins with the insight and guidance of some health-minded parents.  These parents derive their healthy knowledge of eating, exercise, and lifestyle for children from the knowledge passed along from their pediatrician. 

A pediatrician can help inform mothers of potentially harmful foods and practices that might seem insignificant at the time, but could potentially lead to serious health consequences later on in life for their children.  In addition to preventing weight gain, pediatricians can provide valuable treatment, resources, and assistance for children who are struggling with weight concerns.