Facts about childhood obesity
In the past 30 years, the occurrence of overweight in children has doubled and it is now estimated that one third of children ages 2-19 in the U.S. (approximately 23 million) is overweight.
The health consequences of obesity are numerous and alarming. Type II diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, greater risk for asthma and chronic medical conditions are a few of the physical maladies; poor body image, depression and risk for eating disorders are among the psychological consequences.
Not surprisingly, obese children are more likely to be obese adults. Overweight adolescents have a 70 percent chance of becoming overweight or obese adults and at risk for stroke, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and some cancers.
In nearly half of the cases where a child is obese, one or both parents were overweight as well. (Estimates indicate two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese. Adding to the problem, parents are in denial about their children’s weight, stating approximately 37 percent of the time in the case of children ages 6 – 11 and 56 percent of the time in the case of children 12-17 that their obese child was only “slightly overweight.”
The 2008 National Poll on Children’s Health conducted by the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital confirmed parental attitudes toward obesity by showing that 40 percent of youths ages 6-11 whose parents described them as “about the right weight” were actually obese.
According to the National Survey of Children’s Health, an alarming 52 percent of U.S. kids between 6 and 17 do not engage in the type of rigorous activity that makes them sweat at least 5 days per week.
Ninety two percent of elementary schools don’t have daily physical education classes year round.
The typical American youth spends approximately four to five hours a day watching TV, using the computer or playing video games.
“If we keep on our current course, 75 percent of Americans will be overweight or obese by 2015,” says the report “F is for Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America,"
The costs of an obese nation are high. Americans already spend 10 percent of their total medical costs on obesity–related illnesses.
There are direct and indirect national costs as well, such as missed days at work and school, earnings losses and rising disability claims. For children, the onset of Type II diabetes is dramatically on the rise. In fact, obesity is associated with more chronic medical conditions than smoking or excessive drinking
Physical activity is a critical component of health for all children, not just those who are at risk for obesity. In today’s world however, playing outside has given way to playing on the computer. Physical education in schools is disappearing due to lack of funding. There are fewer parks and playgrounds and safe places for outdoor play. Children no longer walk to school.
We need to get our kids moving again and it is our hope that GetSweaty.com will help you help your kids on the path to physical fitness.