Although there are some genetic or hormonal causes
of childhood obesity, in most cases excess weight is due to overeating and
under-exercising. Children require extra calories to fuel their growth and
development; if they taken in the appropriate amount of calories, they should
add pounds in proportion to their growth. But if they consume more calories
than they’re burning off, the result will be unnecessary weight gain. Childhood
obesity is almost always a result of a number of factors working together to
increase risk. These include:
of childhood obesity, in most cases excess weight is due to overeating and
under-exercising. Children require extra calories to fuel their growth and
development; if they taken in the appropriate amount of calories, they should
add pounds in proportion to their growth. But if they consume more calories
than they’re burning off, the result will be unnecessary weight gain. Childhood
obesity is almost always a result of a number of factors working together to
increase risk. These include:
1.)
Diet: Unhealthy lunch options and regular consumption of
high-calorie foods, like fast food, cookies and other baked goods, soda, candy,
chips and vending machine snacks contribute to weight gain. Snacking is another
major culprit: new research shows that American children are snacking more than
ever before — sometimes almost continuously throughout the day — accounting
for up to 27% of their daily caloric intake. Between 1977 and 2006, children
increased their caloric intake from snacks by an average of 168 calories/day,
up to a total of 586 calories. The largest increase was found in children aged
2 to 6, who consumed an extra 181 snack calories per day compared to two
decades earlier.
Diet: Unhealthy lunch options and regular consumption of
high-calorie foods, like fast food, cookies and other baked goods, soda, candy,
chips and vending machine snacks contribute to weight gain. Snacking is another
major culprit: new research shows that American children are snacking more than
ever before — sometimes almost continuously throughout the day — accounting
for up to 27% of their daily caloric intake. Between 1977 and 2006, children
increased their caloric intake from snacks by an average of 168 calories/day,
up to a total of 586 calories. The largest increase was found in children aged
2 to 6, who consumed an extra 181 snack calories per day compared to two
decades earlier.
2.)
Lack of Physical Activity:
Computers, television, and video games conspire to keep kids inside and
sedentary, which means they burn fewer calories and are more likely to gain
weight. Concerns about the safety of outside play and a reliance on cars
instead of walking – even to the corner store – don’t help matters. By
preschool age, many kids are already lacking enough activity, which often
translates into poor exercise habits later in life.
Lack of Physical Activity:
Computers, television, and video games conspire to keep kids inside and
sedentary, which means they burn fewer calories and are more likely to gain
weight. Concerns about the safety of outside play and a reliance on cars
instead of walking – even to the corner store – don’t help matters. By
preschool age, many kids are already lacking enough activity, which often
translates into poor exercise habits later in life.
3.)
Environment: If a child opens up the
refrigerator or kitchen cabinets and is greeted by bags of chips, candy bars
and microwave pizza, then that’s likely what they will eat. Similarly, if you
keep your fridge stocked instead with tasty cut-up fruits and veggies (berries,
baby carrots, red pepper strips) with low-fat ranch dip, low-fat yogurt and
higher-fibre granola bars, then they will go for the healthier fare (rather
than eat nothing at all). Don’t feel like you need to deny children all treats,
but strive for a healthy balance.
Environment: If a child opens up the
refrigerator or kitchen cabinets and is greeted by bags of chips, candy bars
and microwave pizza, then that’s likely what they will eat. Similarly, if you
keep your fridge stocked instead with tasty cut-up fruits and veggies (berries,
baby carrots, red pepper strips) with low-fat ranch dip, low-fat yogurt and
higher-fibre granola bars, then they will go for the healthier fare (rather
than eat nothing at all). Don’t feel like you need to deny children all treats,
but strive for a healthy balance.
4.)
Psychological Factors:
Like adults, some kids may turn to food as a coping mechanism for dealing with
problems or negative emotions like stress, anxiety, or boredom. Children
struggling to cope with a divorce or death in the family may eat more as a
result.
Psychological Factors:
Like adults, some kids may turn to food as a coping mechanism for dealing with
problems or negative emotions like stress, anxiety, or boredom. Children
struggling to cope with a divorce or death in the family may eat more as a
result.
5.)
Genetics: If your child was
born into a family of overweight people, he/she may be genetically predisposed
to the condition, especially if high-calorie food is readily available and
physical activity is not encouraged.
Genetics: If your child was
born into a family of overweight people, he/she may be genetically predisposed
to the condition, especially if high-calorie food is readily available and
physical activity is not encouraged.
6.)
Socioeconomic Factors:
Children from low-income backgrounds are at increased risk for childhood
obesity since low-income parents may lack the time and resources necessary to
purchase and prepare healthy foods (versus fast food, which is cheaper and more
readily available in low-income communities), join a gym or otherwise encourage
physical activity. Because safety is a big issue in poorer communities, playing
outdoors may not be a viable option.
Socioeconomic Factors:
Children from low-income backgrounds are at increased risk for childhood
obesity since low-income parents may lack the time and resources necessary to
purchase and prepare healthy foods (versus fast food, which is cheaper and more
readily available in low-income communities), join a gym or otherwise encourage
physical activity. Because safety is a big issue in poorer communities, playing
outdoors may not be a viable option.
7.)
Medical Conditions:
Though not common, there are certain genetic diseases and hormonal disorders
that can predispose a child to obesity, such as hypothyroidism, (when the
thyroid gland, located in the neck just below the voice box, is underactive and
does not release enough of the hormones that control metabolism), Prader-Willi
syndrome (a genetic disorder affecting the part of the brain that controls
feelings of hunger) and Cushing’s syndrome (a disorder in which your body
is exposed too much of the hormone cortisol from overproduction in the adrenal
glands or use of medications such as those for asthma).
Medical Conditions:
Though not common, there are certain genetic diseases and hormonal disorders
that can predispose a child to obesity, such as hypothyroidism, (when the
thyroid gland, located in the neck just below the voice box, is underactive and
does not release enough of the hormones that control metabolism), Prader-Willi
syndrome (a genetic disorder affecting the part of the brain that controls
feelings of hunger) and Cushing’s syndrome (a disorder in which your body
is exposed too much of the hormone cortisol from overproduction in the adrenal
glands or use of medications such as those for asthma).
(Ogden
et al, 2006).
et al, 2006).
References
Ogden,
C. L., Carroll, M. D., Curtin, L. R., McDowell, M. A., Tabak, C. J., &
Flegal, K. M. (2006).
Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. The
Journal of the American Medical Association, 296, 1549-1555.
C. L., Carroll, M. D., Curtin, L. R., McDowell, M. A., Tabak, C. J., &
Flegal, K. M. (2006).
Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. The
Journal of the American Medical Association, 296, 1549-1555.
