Childhood obesity

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:

Synonyms and keywords: Obesity in kids, Obesity in children


Overview

Childhood obesity is a medical condition that affects children.Overweight and obesity are defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as "abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health"[1] Childhood Obesity is a Body Mass Index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same gender and age.[2] Childhood and adolescent obesity is an epidemic in the United States.[3] About 13.7 million (18.5 %) of American children and adolescents are currently considered obese[4]

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

File:Childhood Obesity.JPG
Poor eating habits play a significant role in childhood obesity. (Girl's identity protected.)

As with many conditions, childhood obesity can be brought on by a range of factors, often in combination.

Acquired

Childhood obesity results from a variety of reasons such as poor eating habits, lack of physical activity as well as genetic and hormonal causes. Children and adolescents are consuming low nutrient high-calorie foods and beverages at home, school and other places. They are consuming more fast food which is low in nutrients and high in calories, fat and sodium. CDC reports that children and adolescents in the U.S. consumed an average of 13.8% of their daily calories from fast food during 2015-2018. [5] In addition, they are consuming large amounts of sugar-sweetened beverages which has been directly associates with obesity in multiple reviews. </ref>


Children who do not engage in frequent physical activity are much more likely to suffer from obesity. This is said to be due in part to the recent technological developments, including video games, computers, and mobile phones.[6] Physically inactive children are unable to burn off the calories that they gain from eating. The body will store some or all of the unused energy as fat. Template:Facts

Also, children in lower-income households are more likely to become overweight than those in higher-income households. Not eating breakfast is also associated with an increase in obesity.[7]

Psychological factors

These factors influence a child's eating habits and many children eat in response to stress and or negative emotions such as boredom, anger, sadness, anxiety or depression.

Hereditary

Often, a child whose parents are overweight or obese will also be overweight or obese. Although this is often caused by shared unhealthy eating habits in the household, it has been suggested that there may be a genetic (inherited) predisposition toward being obese, although this is as yet unproven and research is ongoing. Many children become slightly overweight because of their body's growth pattern (example: being taller than average at childhood). Some pediatricians may still classify this as childhood obesity.Template:Facts Recent studies have shown that while there is evidence of in vitro influences on food choice, perhaps the largest influence can occur during the toddler years.[8] Indeed, recent studies have shown that parents influence an estimated 72% of what and how much their children eat on a daily basis. [9]

Medical Conditions

Conditions such as hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, depression and certain neurological problems can lead to obesity or a tendency to gain weight in a child. Also, drugs such as steroids and some antidepressants may lead to obesity or a tendency to gain weight in a child.

Complications

Without a change in diet or exercise patterns,, childhood obesity can lead to life-threatening conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep problems, cancer, and other disorders.[10][11] Studies have shown that overweight children are more likely to grow up to be overweight adults.[12]

Obese children often suffer from teasing amongst their peers.[13][14] Some are even harassed or discriminated against by their own family.[15] Stereotypes abound and may lead to low self esteem and depression.[16]

Differentiating Obesity from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Age

Gender

Race

Risk Factors

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Criteria

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Treatment

Medical therapy

Surgery

Prevention

See also

References

  1. ↑ https://www.who.int/westernpacific/health-topics/obesity
  2. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/defining.html
  3. ↑ Sanyaolu A, Okorie C, Qi X, Locke J, Rehman S (2019). "Childhood and Adolescent Obesity in the United States: A Public Health Concern". Glob Pediatr Health. 6: 2333794X19891305. doi:10.1177/2333794X19891305. PMC 6887808 Check |pmc= value (help). PMID 31832491.
  4. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html#Prevalence
  5. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db375.htm
  6. ↑ Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think (2006), Brian Wansink New York: Bantam-Dell.
  7. ↑ Dubois L, Girard M and Potvin Kent M. Breakfast eating and overweight in a pre-school population: is there a link? Public Health Nutrition vol 9, issue 4, pp 436-42
  8. ↑ Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think (2006), Brian Wansink New York: Bantam-Dell.
  9. ↑ "Nutritional Gatekeepers and the 72% Solution,” (2006) Journal of the American Dietetic Association, Brian Wansink 106:9 (September), 1324–1327.
  10. ↑ http://edition.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/09/13/child.obesity.ap/index.html
  11. ↑ http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09317.html
  12. ↑ http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09317.html
  13. ↑ http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/113/5/1187
  14. ↑ http://www.obesity.org/discrimination/educa.shtml
  15. ↑ http://www.obesity.org/discrimination/educa.shtml
  16. ↑ http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/guide/introduction/health_risks.cfm

External links


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