By Erica Frank, MD, FAAP
Childhood obesity is one of the most pressing health problems facing today’s generation of children. According to the most recent Centers for Disease Control data, the number of children affected by obesity has tripled in the last four decades. In the United States, 1 in 3 children are considered overweight or obese (body mass index of 85th percentile or higher for age and sex) and 1 in 6 are officially classified as obese (body mass index of 95th percentile or higher for age and sex).
Mississippi is among the states with the highest prevalence of overweight and obese children – an estimated 35 to 40 percent of our state’s children fall into these categories. Obesity not only has direct health effects on the individual, the effects on the nation’s and state’s economies are staggering. The CDC estimates that obesity in all ages accounts for $190 billion of direct medical costs and obesity in children accounts for $14 billion of direct medical costs. In Mississippi, an estimated $1 billion in healthcare spending is related to obesity. Studies show that an overweight child’s lifetime healthcare costs are nearly $20,000 higher than his healthy-weight peers. School and work absenteeism rates are higher in obese individuals and their families than in average-weight individuals.
Overweight status in childhood has immediate and long-term effects on physical, emotional and social health. In childhood, obese children are at risk for bone and joint problems, asthma, sleep apnea, early puberty, and liver and gallbladder disease. As the rate of obesity in children increases, we are seeing more children with Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Children who are overweight are disproportionally subjected to teasing and bullying by their peers, which may lead to low self-esteem, social isolation and depression. Children who are unhappy with their weight are at increased risk for unhealthy diet and eating disorders, depression and substance abuse. Obesity leads to an increased risk of health problems in adults such as heart disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cancer.
What can we do to stop this trend? A lifelong healthy weight starts early. An obese 4- year-old has a 20 percent chance of becoming obese in adulthood, and an obese teenager has an 80 percent chance of obesity in adulthood.
We can start from the very first days of life by encouraging breast feeding in all infants. With bottle-fed infants, parents should learn to respect their baby’s hunger and satiety clues (turning away from the bottle, slowed sucking pattern). As a baby moves toward solids, it is important to encourage consuming a variety of foods, concentrating on vegetables and fruits more so than on carbohydrates such as cereals and crackers. Juice should be avoided as should sugar-sweetened foods and beverages.
As your child moves into toddlerhood and beyond, encourage regular mealtimes and snacks. Skipping breakfast has been shown to be directly correlated with obesity.
Make eating a family affair and make it fun! Shop together for the week’s meals – who can pick out the most colorful vegetables? Visit websites such as www.choosemyplate.gov for healthy menu suggestions and portion sizes for all ages. Explore local farmers’ markets and encourage your children to talk to the growers about their products. Cook together – even the youngest family member can be a sous chef by helping to toss a salad. Make healthy snacks readily available – have cold water, cut-up veggies, fruits, low-fat yogurt and cheese, and whole grain crackers within easy reach of all family members. Having snacks pre-portioned may decrease overeating. Try to avoid using food as a reward or punishment to help decrease the emotional response to food.
Get your family active! Turn off the TV, phones and tablets and head outside to explore your neighborhood on foot or on bike. On rainy days, turn your living room into a dance party. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests limiting screen time to less than two hours per day – challenge all family members to beat this goal! One of the easiest and most important things that you can do to help your child maintain a healthy weight is to encourage good sleep habits.
Many parents are concerned about their child’s weight. The CDC offers an online BMI calculator for children and teens and will give their percentage for age and sex. If you find that your child’s BMI is >85th percentile, talk to your pediatrician. She will help you and your child develop a roadmap to healthy living by perfecting healthy eating habits, increasing physical activity (at least 30 minutes a day), and improving sleep habits. Your pediatrician also will monitor for obesity-related health concerns such as high blood pressure, diabetes and elevated cholesterol.
We can encourage healthy weight and lifestyles in all children. It may start at home but it extends to our communities and country. Get involved in your local community to improve playgrounds and walking trails. Encourage schools to keep physical education and free playtimes in the daily schedule. Support programs such as community gardens. Together, we can stop the obesity epidemic and help our children’s generation become the healthiest ever.
Dr. Erica Frank is a pediatrician with Garden Park Physician Group. She is located at the Pediatric Center, 15190 Community Road, Ste 330. GardenParkDoctors.com