The Childhood Obesity Epidemic and Its Consequences

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The Childhood Obesity Epidemic and Its
Consequences

• Joseph Nadglowski, Jr.
• Obesity Action Coalition

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Definitions
Overweight or Obese with Children?

• Overweight and obese are used
  interchangeably. The Centers for Disease Control
  prefers the term overweight, while mass media
  often utilizes the term obese when referring to
  children.
• A child is defined as overweight if their body
  mass index-for-age (or BMI-for-age) percentile is
  greater than 95 percent. A child is defined as
  at risk of overweight if their BMI-for-age
  percentile is greater than 85 percent and less
  than 95 percent.

Childhood Obesity Epidemic and Its Consequences
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BMI-for-Age Percentile
What is BMI-for-Age Percentile?

• Obesity in children is determined by using
  BMI-for-age percentiles.
• BMI-for-age percentiles have emerged as the
  favored method to measure weight status in
  children.
• This method calculates a childs weight category
  based on age and BMI, which is a calculation of
  weight and height.

Childhood Obesity Epidemic and Its Consequences
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Childhood Obesity Epidemic and Its Consequences
Various Levels of BMI-for-Age Percentiles
Translated
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BMI-for-age Percentile Chart for Boys
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BMI-for-age Percentile Chart for Girls
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Childhood Obesity Is it a Problem?

• Childhood obesity affects more than 30 percent of
  children, making it the most common chronic
  disease of childhood.
• 10.9 of kids are above 97th percentile in
  BMI-for-Age.
• 15.5 of kids are above 95th percentile in
  BMI-for-age.
• 30.1 of kids are above 85th percentile in
  BMI-for-age.

Childhood Obesity Epidemic and Its Consequences
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Childhood Obesity Is it a Problem? (Cont.)

• Only 50 percent of children, 12 to 21 years of
  age, regularly participate in rigorous physical
  activity, while 25 percent of children report no
  physical activity.
• In fact, one just-published study shows by the
  age of 15 only 31 of children were meeting
  recommended physical activity standards during
  the week and only 17 on weekends.

Childhood Obesity Epidemic and Its Consequences
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Causes of Childhood Obesity
Although the causes of childhood obesity are
widespread, certain factors are targeted as major
contributors. Causes include
Environment Lack of physical activity
Heredity and family Dietary patterns
Socioeconomic status
Childhood Obesity Epidemic and Its Consequences

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Etiology of Obesity Complex Interrelated Factors
The ideal approach to obesity control will
address all factors.
Childhood Obesity Epidemic and Its Consequences
1Thomas PR, ed. Weighing the Options. Wash DC
Natl Acad Press 19952. 2Williamson DF. N Engl
J Med. 19993411140. 3Koplan JP, Dietz WH.
JAMA. 19992821579.
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Impact of Childhood Obesity

• Development of co-morbid conditions at a young
  age, such as Type 2 Diabetes
• Future work force will face tougher obstacles
  related to health and productivity
• Decreased quality of childhood and adolescence
• Rising costs to U.S. healthcare system

Childhood Obesity Epidemic and Its Consequences
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Childhood Obesity-Related Illnesses

• Type 2 DiabetesUtilization of Drugs in Children
  to treat has increased 151 over last 7 years.
• HypertensionUtilization of Drugs in Children to
  treat has increased 18 over last 7 years.
• Acid RefluxUtilization of Drugs in Children to
  treat has increased 137 over last 7 years.
• High CholesterolUtilization of Drugs in Children
  to treat has increased 12 over last 7 years.

Childhood Obesity Epidemic and Its Consequences
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Childhood Obesity Stigma
Stigma refers to weight-related attitudes and
beliefs that are expressed as stereotypes,
rejection and prejudice toward children and
adolescents because of their weight. This may
include

• Verbal Teasing (name calling, derogatory remarks)
• Physical Bullying (hitting, kicking, pushing,
  shoving)
• Social Exclusion (being ignored or avoided,
  excluded from peer activities or the target of
  rumors)

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Consequences of Stigma

• Obese children are less likely to be accepted to
  college, despite equivalent application rates and
  academic achievement.
• Victims of Weight Stigma are more likely to
  engage in unhealthy weight control practices.

Childhood Obesity Epidemic and Its Consequences
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Two Points for your Consideration

• No child should be blamed or stigmatized for
  their weight. Personal responsibility and/or the
  perception of a personal failing must be
  eliminated.
• 2. The average American is unable to take their
  child to their pediatrician to discuss their
  weight and such a visit be covered under
  insurance. We need to find a way to incentivize
  insurers and employers to make this type of
  wellness benefit available.

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Sample Insurance Policy
Are We Taking this Problem Seriously?

Weight control services including surgical
procedures, medical treatments, weight/loss
programs dietary regimens and supplements,
appetite suppressants and other medications food
or food supplements, exercise programs, exercise
or other equipment and other services and
supplies that are primarily intended to control
weight or treat obesity, including morbid
obesity, or for the purpose of weight reduction,
regardless of the existence of co-morbid
conditions are excluded.
Childhood Obesity Epidemic and Its Consequences
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Contact Information
Obesity Action Coalition4511 North Himes Ave.,
Ste. 250Tampa, Fl 33614(800) 717-3117info_at_obesi
tyaction.orgwww.obesityaction.org
Childhood Obesity Epidemic and Its Consequences