Eye on Obesity - and the Health Problems That Come With It
Government health officials said in 2008 that the childhood
obesity rate had actually plateaued instead of continuing to
shoot up. But this major public health problem certainly
isn't going away, either. And now, more and more kids are
developing other risky related conditions, too.
Although the obesity epidemic shows signs of leveling off,
it's still a problem of epic proportions that isn't
decreasing
at all. In fact, about 32% of kids and teens are considered
overweight or obese - an astounding and alarming statistic that
should give every parent pause. And with many kids now tipping the
scales, obesity ranked as the No. 1 children's health concern
for most households in 2008, according to the "C.S. Mott
Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health for
2008."
Yet, a 2008 study found that many parents had no idea - or
weren't at all worried - that their kids were considered obese.
And that's despite the fact that new research shows kids are
also increasingly getting all kinds of typically adult
obesity-linked conditions, like type 2 diabetes, hypertension (high
blood pressure), unhealthy cholesterol levels, and metabolic
syndrome (a combination of obesity-related conditions that lead to
the early onset of heart and blood vessel diseases).
More than half of the kids (some as young as 10) in a late 2008
study had cardiovascular systems that looked more like those of
middle-aged adults - a major red flag for heart disease, the No. 1
killer of men and women. Now, the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP) says tracking youngsters' cholesterol levels at an early
age - and treating those that are unhealthy - may help fend off
future heart disease. In 2008, the group changed its 10-year-old
policy on cholesterol, recommending cholesterol-fighting drugs
(called statins) for some kids as young as 8 with unhealthy
cholesterol levels.
What to Watch:
As the economy keeps spiraling downward and stocking up at the
supermarket seems pricier with each trip, parents will need to try
even harder to keep kids' diets nutritious. After all, some
junk food is cheaper than wholesome fare. But having less money to
spend doesn't have to mean buying less healthy foods:
- Opt for canned and frozen fruits and veggies.
- Double recipes and freeze some for later.
- Don't let food go to waste. Plan a full week of meals
before grocery shopping - only buy what you need. Make soup from
leftovers. Use up veggies, lunchmeat, and cheese before they go
bad by making salad or dinner casseroles. Wash and cut up fruits
and veggies right away and store them in small containers or bags
in the front of the fridge for quick and wholesome snacks.
- Buy only in-season fresh fruits and vegetables. Or go in on a
community farm co-op membership with friends. (Farmer's
markets usually cost less than grocery store chains, but some may
feel the brunt of the economy and either fall by the wayside or
start raising prices, too.)
- Stock up on cheaper protein sources like eggs, canned and
dried beans, peanut butter, canned chicken and light tuna, frozen
shrimp, lean ground beef, chicken thighs or legs (instead of
boneless breasts).
While it's not always easy, with a little creativity and
planning, parents of all budget levels can do many things to keep
nourishing meals from breaking the bank.
For Kids:
Is Dieting OK for Kids?
How Can I Feel Better About My Body?
Type 2 Diabetes: What Is It?
Weight and Diabetes
What "Being Overweight" Means
What's Cholesterol?
What's the Right Weight for Me?
For Teens:
Dealing With Feelings When You're Overweight
How Much Food Should I Eat?
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Smart Supermarket Shopping
Type 2 Diabetes: What Is It?
What Is Cholesterol?
What's the Right Weight for My
Height?
When Being Overweight Is a Health Problem
For Parents:
News - AAP Takes Aim at Cholesterol in Kids
News - Childhood Obesity Rates High, But Not Rising
Cholesterol and Your Child
Healthy Eating
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Overweight and Obesity
News - Parents' Perceptions About Kids' Weight Often
Off
Poll: Kids' Obesity Tops List of Concerns for 2008
Type 2 Diabetes: What Is It?
View the next
Issue to Watch
View the entire list of
Issues to Watch
Return to
Main Page
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995-2009 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. All rights reserved.