What Parents Need to Know About Obesity

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States.  Currently, more than 50% of the adults in the U.S. are considered overweight, with 22% reported as obese.  The proportion of children and adolescents who are overweight has risen dramatically in the last few years.  Obesity is linked with poor nutrition, physical inactivity, diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, kidney disease, osteoarthritis, and death.

The Georgia Department of Human Resources released a publication on the status of obesity in Georgia. The following facts were included in the report:

• Ninety-seven million Americans are overweight or obese. In Georgia, approximately 900,000 people are considered obese.
• In the United States, approximately one child in five is now overweight. Overweight children are more likely to become obese adults.
• Studies reveal that children of obese parents are more likely to be obese as adults.
• Obesity is a factor in the development of many chronic diseases, such as: diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some types of cancers.
• Factors identified as contributing to the development of diabetes are genetic background, obesity (poor food choices), and lack of physical activity.
• Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, usually developing in adults over 40. Now children are being diagnosed with this disease, presumably because of the increase in obesity in children under 17. Type 2 diabetes may be prevented by maintaining normal weight and regular physical activity.
• Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including obesity-related heart disease and stroke, is the #1 killer in every city and county in Georgia.
• Cardiovascular disease caused 23,461 deaths in Georgia during 1997. The death rate from CVD is 10% higher in Georgia than the national rate.
• Emotional and psycho-social problems are caused or heightened by obesity, particularly in children and adolescents.
• Approximately 12% of all deaths in the United States are attributed to lack of regular physical activity.

What can parents do about childhood obesity?

Childhood obesity is a problem that can be prevented with an early treatment and intervention program. Here are some suggestions that may help.

• Contact your child’s physician and set up a plan that is right for you and your child.
• Include some type of physical activity in your child’s daily schedule. Physical activity benefits the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. It also affects the musculoskeletal and endocrine systems of a child as well as reduces his/her risk factors for several chronic diseases. A child who is physically healthy also has a better chance of succeeding academically.
• Limit the amount of television viewed by your child as well as video and computer games. According to the Georgia Department of Human Resources, “Each hourly increment of TV viewed by adolescents has been associated with a 2% increase in the overall prevalence of obesity among this age group.”
• Develop a healthy eating plan for your child. Use the food guide pyramid as a planning tool to insure you that your child is receiving recommended foods and serving sizes. Allow your child to participate in the Breakfast and Lunch Programs offered at your school. Both programs are regulated by the state and federal government and provide nutritionally balanced meals that are low-cost or free to children each school day. Meals must meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommend that no more than 30 percent of an individual’s calories come from fat. Regulations also require that school breakfast provide one-fourth and school lunch provide one-third of the daily recommended levels for protein, calcium, iron, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, fiber, and calories.
• Talk to your child about appropriate eating habits and help him/her develop self-control. Allow your child to choose what to eat, but limit the amount and the selection to healthful food choices only. Give your child alternatives to snacking. Allow them to select a hobby such as painting, sewing, reading, building etc. and spend time with them as they develop skills and talents.
• Be a positive role model. Develop your own plan for healthy eating and daily exercise. Eat nutritious meals and exercise with your child. According to the Georgia Department of Human Resources, “An overweight school-age child with an obese parent has over a 70% chance of being obese in young adulthood."

The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity

CDC: Overweight and Obesity