Statistics on Childhood Obesity, Health and Fitness
A 2008 study published in the January 2010 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that 31.7 % of American children are obese or overweight. Compared to the prevalence rate of 29% in 1999, the study suggested a plateau in childhood obesity incidence in America
Studies have shown that a child who is obese between the ages of 10 and 13 has an 80 percent change of becoming an obese adult.
Mike Magee and Health Politics:(October 22, 2003)
- The rates of obesity have more than doubled and triples over the past 35 years:
- 6-12 year olds: Childhood obesity grew from 4% to 13%
- 12-19 year olds: Childhood obesity and Teen obesity grew from 5% to 14%
- Due to a sedentary lifestyle , nearly half of young people ages 12-21 years get little or no vigorous exercise on a daily basis
- The probability of becoming an obese adult, if obese at ages sex is 50%
- The chance of becoming an obese adult, if obese at age 13 is 70% to 80%
University of Michigan-Fitness for Youth Program Research (2)
- Nine out of ten parents think their children are physically fit, when actually only one out of three are.
Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (TN) (2)
- Physical inactivity and poor diet together account for at least 300,000 deaths in the U.S. each year.
- Physical inactivity increases the risk of premature death and heart disease and developing diabetes, colon cancer and high blood pressure.
American Heart Association
- Parents who model healthy eating and exercise habits greatly influence their children’s health.
- Health lifestyle training should start in early childhood
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2)
- Each year physical inactivity contributes to nearly 260,000 deaths in the United States
- 5.3 million 12.5% American children are overweight or obese
Baylor College of Medicine (2)
- Children today have a shorter life expectancy than their parents for the first time in 100 years because of the epidemic of obesity.
United States Dietary Association (USDA) (2)
- Fewer than half of U.S. school children participate in physical education
MSNBC (September 7, 2004) (3)
- Study shows that girls participating in 1-5 hours per week of proper exercise can reduce the prevalence of obesity and being overweight by 10-43%
Experts say: Obesity in childhood and adolescence can be related to
- poor eating habits
- overeating and binging
- lack of exercise
- family history of obesity
- stressful life events or changes (separations, divorce, moves deaths, abuse
- family and peer problems
- low self esteem
- depression or other emotional problems
Possible Risk and complications of obesity
- increased risk of heart disease
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- breathing problems
- trouble sleeping
- Depression, anxiety