Child Obesity

The Growing Problem of Child Obesity

In this country there seems to been a growing co-census that we must defend our borders. That outside forces are considered the biggest threat to Americans today. I beg to differ.

This country is facing a threat to national security on an unfathomable scale. It is not nukes, terrorist, sleeper cells, it is obesity. I hope I have everyones attention, because what will happen to our health care system if mostly obese baby-boomers are retiring and the trend of rising child obesity continues, we will have a chronic disease outbreak devastating a great portion of the American citizens. For purpose of keeping it short, I will focus on child obesity alone.

First things first: Some sobering numbers. Based on the NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) survey from 1999-2000 more than 15% of children 6 to 19 were obese. In the first two previous surveys conducted in 1971-1974 and 1976-1980, child obesity rates were constant. What is alarming in the period from 1988-1994 this number doubled to 11% and increased another 4% during 1999-2000.

Several causes are cited in this paper (1) which can be summed up into the following categories. Medical- Psychological, Socio-Economic, Physical, Genetically, and Nutritional. This paper clearly shows a correlation between child obesity and lack of physical exercise. The average American child watches an average of more than three hours television per day. In turn the exposure to targeted commercials increases the demands for the usually very unhealthy foods pitched to the nations youngsters. Which in turn leads to increased fat and calorie intake, clearly another factor in child obesity.

Another factor is the fact that parents, who are leading by example, have a great impact on child obesity. Studies prove that children who grow up in households with one or more obese parents clearly are at higher risker fro becoming obese themselves. Which leads to this observation: If parent's waist sizes are getting bigger, their children are following suit, what will happen with the grand children? The implications of obesity, and child obesity are far beyond the here and now. One can see how it will effect future generations if this problem is not addressed in the here and now.

On the socio-economic front research backs up the notion that poorer kids usually are prone to be more obese than well to do children. Also staggering is the evidence of ethnicity or genes contributing to this rising problem. And of course last but not least the lack of self- worth and healthy self image contributes to all kinds of psychological problems.

We as Americans need to recognize the need to step up to the plate and start combating what could be Americas biggest enemy yet to come, and the battlefield this war is going to play out, is not some foreign land, but right here at home, where the health care system will be taxed beyond capability and a sizable amount of Americans will become casualties of obesity and the slow chronic merciless killers this disease brings with it, which are cardiovascular disease, some cancers, and diabetes.

The only way to fight child obesity is to take charge of your own health and then encourage your children to follow in your steps. Which is not to hard to do. For most part, children will follow the examples parents set. So it is extremly important if you are a parent or a parent wanna-be to start taking charge and being proactive in your health care. Focus on preventing disease rather than fixing disease. And staying in tip top shape will not only boost your self-image and self-confidence, but it will inspire people around you, including your kids!

Beste Gesundheit,

Werner

(1)Zametkin, A., Zoon, C., Klein, H., Munson, S., (2004). Psychiatric aspects of child and adolescent obesity: a review of the past 10 years. (Research Update Review). Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Feb 2004 v43 i2 p134(17).