For the first time in the history of our nation, children are at risk for a shorter lifespan than their parents due to diseases related to obesity. In response to the growing obesity epidemic in US children and adolescents, Michelle Obama launched “Let’s Move!” which is an educational campaign to promote strategies for healthy eating and active living aimed at reducing the rate of childhood obesity to 5% by 2030.
Currently, 12.5 million children are either overweight or obese which is approximately one third of the children in America.
Statistics show the alarming rise in childhood obesity rates. (www.cdc.gov)
US obesity rate in children 6-11 years:
- 1980: 6.5%
- 2008: 19.6%
US obesity rates in preteen and teens 12-19 years:
- 1980: 5%
- 2008: 18.1%
Colorado children and teens are not immune to the rising obesity rates. (Colorado Health Foundation 2010 Report – www.coloradohealthreportcard.org)
Colorado obesity rates for children 10-17 years:
- 2003: 9.9% = 3rd best rank in the nation
- 2007: 14.2% = 23rd in the nation
- (2007: Oregon ranked the best with a rate of 9.6%)
Colorado numbers of obese children 10-17 years:
- 2003: 48,000
- 2007: 72,000 – second fastest rise in obesity nationwide
- 2007: Hispanic children were three times more obese than white children
Chaffee County 2010 data reflect similar statistics:
- BMI summary for 54 Salida 9th grade students found 22% were overweight and 4% were obese
- BMI summary for 168 Salida 3rd and 4th grade students found 36% were overweight
- BMI summary for 80 Salida and BV students ages 5-11 years found that 11% were overweight and 5% were obese
Body mass index or BMI is calculated using the weight and height measurements to estimate body fat and determine whether a child’s weight is appropriate for height. The calculated BMI number is plotted on a gender and age-specific growth chart for ages 2-19 years:
- underweight is <5th %
- healthy weight is 5th % to less than the 85%
- overweight is 85% to less than the 95%
- obese is equal to or greater than the 95%
BMI is a excellent tool to monitor growth over time during childhood and adolescence and it should be calculated at every well-child exam, so the health care provider can provide guidance about nutrition, physical activity, and health care risks related to either under or overweight.
The impact of obesity on the health of children and teens has negative life-long consequences both physically and emotionally. Overweight and obese children and teens have a greater chance of developing cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high triglycerides. These are risk factors for acquiring Type 2 diabetes, which has become more common in children and teens but which was previously considered an adult-onset disease. Other diseases diagnosed more frequently in overweight and obese children and teens include: back and joint pain, gallstones, fatty liver, asthma, sleep apnea, skin infections and menstrual abnormalities. Psychological issues such as poor self-esteem and a negative body image, in conjunction with societal discrimination against obese individuals, can lead to depression.
Statistics show that about 20% of 4 year olds who are overweight will be obese adults and obese teens have an 80% chance of remaining overweight into adulthood. (www.aap.org)
Many factors contribute to the rising rate of obesity in children and teens, however the main problem is eating too many calories and not getting enough exercise.
Environmental influences at home, in childcare centers, in the schools and in the community can negatively affect food and activity choices available to children and teens. Lack of required physical activity during school, increased portion sizes of unhealthy food, and marketing related to poor food choices all contribute to the growing obesity epidemic. Diets high in sugared drinks (juice, soda, energy drinks) are risk factors for increased body fat.
Most American children spend an average of 7.5 hours a day engaged in sedentary media activities, primarily TV. Statistics show that watching more than 5 hours of TV per day increases the risk of obesity compared to kids who watch less than 2 hours a day. (www.aap.org)
Poverty is a strong determinant of obesity in children. In 2009, one third of the 2-4 year olds in low-income families were overweight or obese. (www.cdc.gov) During 2000-2009, the number of Colorado children under 18 years living in poverty doubled and is now 210,000. The percentage of Chaffee County children living in poverty (17.6%) is higher than Colorado’s average percentage (16.6%). Safe areas to play and recreation centers are not available to approximately half of the US children and access to affordable healthy foods is limited to low-income families (www.cdc.gov)
Having an impact on childhood obesity will require a variety of strategies at home, in the schools, and in the communities. As a parent, you can start by making daily changes in your child’s lifestyle by the 5-2-1-0 prescription recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics: 5 fruits and vegetables a day, 2 hours or less of TV a day, 1 hour or more of daily physical exercise, 0 sugar-sweetened drinks.
Chaffee County is very fortunate to have grant funding through LiveWell Colorado which is supporting efforts to reduce and prevent obesity by increasing physical activity and healthy eating.
Representative Tom Massey co-sponsored HB 1069 (signed into law April 2011) which will require Colorado elementary schools to provide more physical activity time. Colorado Public Health Association made childhood obesity and physical activity a priority and worked to support passage of HB 1069.
The Let’s Move! website provides a comprehensive action plan for kids, parents, schools and communities to change behavior and policies affecting nutrition and physical activity. Other helpful and educational resources can be found at www.healthychildren.org, www.eatright.org, www.choosemyplate.gov and www.ellynsatter.com.
This summer is a great time to get you and your kids moving!
Susan Ellis RN, MSN, PNP is a registered nurse, the director of Chaffee County Public Health and a member of the LiveWell Chaffee County coalition.
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