Childhood Obesity Facts
~ Causes of Childhood Obesity ~

Our children are our future. Knowing the childhood obesity facts and the causes of childhood obesity can help to make a change in our world.

Obesity is usually associated with adults, but sadly it's affecting our children and the numbers are steadily rising each and everyday. In the last 30 years alone, adolescents and childhood obesity has more than tripled.

According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, obesity rates in children aged 6-11 years old increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2008. Those aged 12-19 increased from 5.0% to 18.1%.

Despite the fact that some causes of childhood obesity are due to genetic and hormonal issues, majority of the time it's from our kids eating way too much (junk food) and not getting enough exercise.

I believe that one of the causes of childhood obesity is the fact that our kids are glued to the tv's and these video games...and they don't play outside as much anymore. We've got a world of lazy kids!

I remember always begging to go outside to play, ride my bike and climbing trees (yeah I was a tomboy!).

BUT, it's not their fault, it's ours as parents. Good nutrition starts at home, staying active starts at home, caring about your body starts at home.

Childhood Obesity Facts:
What's Considered as Obese?

A person (adult or child) is considered obese if their body mass index (BMI) is 30 or higher. This can potentially lead to severe health issues.

BMI doesn't actually measure body fat, it's more based on an individual's height and weight.

For teens and younger children it's slightly different. It's taken into account the fact that there's a difference between boys and girls body fat and the different ages.

It's important for the health of our children to keep them at a good weight for their age and height. Use common sense...a 100 lb. 5 year old is not the ideal weight you want your kid at, unless this 5 year old is over 5 feet tall!

My 10 year old son is 100 lbs., BUT he's also damn near as tall as me, he's 5'1", where as my friends 10 year old is 60 lbs., but he's a little guy. You get the idea.

What are the Risks Associated with Obesity?

There are so many complications and risks associated with being overweight. These problems can cause both long-term and immediate health issues, such as:

Trouble Sleeping / Sleep Apnea

Increased Risk of Heart Disease

High Blood Pressure

High Cholesterol

Problems with Joints and Bones

Poor Self Esteem / Depression

Type 2 Diabetes

Can Lead to Eating Disorders such as Anorexia and Bulimia

Irregular Menstrual Cycle / Infertility

Stroke

This list for childhood obesity facts and statistics could go on and on, but why let it. Just looking at those risks listed above should be enough motivation to help our youth to get up and get moving.

What Can We Do to Help Our Youth?

Believe it or not, there's a lot we can do. It starts with us as parents. Our kids look up to us and they mimick what they see. If you eat unhealthy, your kids will eat unhealthy. If you sit around doing nothing, your kids will probably do the same.

With the technology today such as video games, tv, computers, internet, etc. Our youth has become so inactive, as I said before "lazy kids".

We can't continue to be part of the problem, we need to be part of the solution!

A lot of times putting them in activities such as sports can become expensive, especially if you have more than one kid. BUT....YOU can be active with your kid. Take them to the park so they can run and play, take a walk with them, ride bikes, play tag. There's so much you can do besides sit around and watch tv.

Yes, I know, it can be tiring and difficult especially after work, but these are our kids we're talking about, this is our future. They're only kids once, don't let that precious time pass on by not knowing where it went only to let them become a part of the overweight epidemic.

Obesity is a cycle that CAN be broken, and it starts with us. These childhood obesity facts needs to be a thing of the past.

We ALL need to learn the benefits of exercise and teach it to our kids, let them know what the childhood obesity facts are and why THEY don't need to be one of the statistics!