Childhood ObesityNutrition 120

Definition

• Canada, like many nations, is in the midst of an epidemic of overweight and obesity.  Currently, 59% of adult Canadians are either overweight or obese.

Overweight vs. Obesity

• The prevalence of overweight and obesity is commonly assessed by using body mass index (BMI) or Body Mass Index

• BMI is defined as the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in metres (kg/m2 ).

• A BMI over 25 is defined as overweight, and a BMI of over 30 as obese.

A lifetime problem?

• 1 out of 4 children who are obese at age 6 will be obese as an adult

• 3 out of 4 children who are obese at age 12 will be obese as an adult

There are significant economic costs for Canada as a result of obesity. Direct and indirect costs associated with obesity in 2001 were estimated at $4.3 billion. (Katzmarzyk and Janssen, 2004) .

Cost of Obesity

Serious Risks

• Poor Self-esteem • Depression• Hip and bone problems• Early puberty• Childhood diabetes• Sleep Apnea (Not Breathing)• Adult health issues: High blood pressure, heart

disease, and diabetes• Some kinds of Cancer• Liver and Gallbladder problems• Stroke (mainly in adults)

Causes of Childhood Obesity

• Family/Parents: A child is at a higher risk if they have two obese parents

• Emotional Issues• Lower Activity Level: Computers,

TV, Video Games, etc.• Diet: Excess of Junk foods• Heredity

Media Influence

• The media has placed a high emphasis on sweets and cartoons: For example….

• The Cheetos brand snacks has a funny cartoon cheetah that lures children into wanting to buy cheetos

Other Media Influences

• Junk foods and Sweets Advertisements often include some form of “prize” to make children want to purchase them

• More than 90% of kids begin watching TV before the age of two, despite recommendations that screen time should be zero for children under 2, and limited to 1 hour for kids 2-5.

• National data show that 15.2% of 2-5-year-olds are overweight and 6.3% are obese. It is estimated that overweight 2-5-year-olds are 4 times as likely to be overweight as adults.

In 1971, the average age at which children began to watch TV was 4 years; today, it is 5 months.

School Relationship

• Cafeteria foods and vending machines give high-calorie snacks (candy bars, chips, ice cream, etc.)

• Less than 1 in 10 public schools require students to participate in physical activity daily

• On average, students undertake vigorous physical activity for only 25 minutes per week

Physical Fun!

• Follow Canada’s Physical Activity Guide (guidelines..see copy)• Family Activities• Walking/Jogging/Hiking etc….• Encouragement of Sports recreation:

Soccer, Gymnastics, Baseball, etc.

“I like to play indoors better’cause that’s where all theelectrical outlets are.”

A Fourth-Grader in San DiegoFrom R. Louv. Last Child in the Woods. 2005

Nature-Deficit Disorder

Is our frame of reference changing?

Is it???

Parental Influence• Education of Nutrition: Start implementing at an

early age• Restriction of TV watching/video game playing,

and computer use: Restrict to no more than 1-2 hours of combined activity.

• Encourage Physical activity and participate with your child rather just watching them/Play!

• Keep daily records of nutrient intake; personal diaries or journals

• Keep junk food in the house to a minimum; encourage foods high in nutrient density

• Make sure that they know that you are there for them and will be there to encourage a new healthy lifestyle

Follow 4 Simple StepsChildhood Obesity Foundation of Canada

• 5 – fruits/vegetables per day• 2 – hours or less of screen-time per

day• 1 – hour of physical activity per day• 0 – sugar sweetened beverage per

day

Conclusion

• Childhood Obesity is a growing problem all around the world. It is influenced by a number of factors, but there are ways to prevent and solve this growing epidemic. Children are the future: Lets make sure that they are healthy, happy, and full of fun in this ever changing society.

References

• www.dictionary.reference.com• www.eagle2.american.edu• www.enc-online.org• www.healthyontario.com• www.kidsource.com• www.med.umich.edu• http://www.childhoodobesityfoundation.ca/statistics