Kathy Egan
ECB Publishing, Inc.
The Problem
The latest research available reports that as of 2024, about 20 percent of children and adolescents who are aged 2 to 19 in the U.S., are obese. That translates into approximately 14.7 million young people who are seriously overweight. Twenty-five years ago, at the turn of this century, the rate was about 14 percent, which indicates a problematic trend.
As is the case with adults, health risks for obese kids are prevalent, and since those with the disease are young and already obese, they are likely to start suffering health consequences at a younger age. Common health problems related to obesity include high blood pressure, diabetes, fatty liver disease, high cholesterol and orthopedic problems.
Most of these health conditions have traditionally been found in adults, but as more children deal with being overweight, more also struggle with health consequences that were previously seen mostly in adults. Some of the symptoms might subside with weight loss, but many will become chronic.
Obesity is also related to emotional concerns. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that overweight children are likely to be teased, have low self-esteem, be excluded from activities other children are doing or have symptoms of depression.
Solutions
Whether trying to prevent obesity or overcome it, there are steps families can take. First, get the family moving. Having loved ones join in makes physical activity less of a chore and more of a fun adventure. Even if you have a fence, kids usually enjoy walking the dog. A race in the front yard can tap into the competitive spirit or even asking your teen to mow the grass for a certain amount of money, are just some ideas to get you started.
Movement is not the only necessity. Getting good, adequate amounts of sleep is vital to good health in general, and recently, it has been reported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that lack of sleep contributes to weight gain. Scientists and doctors are still looking for the reasons why, but it really doesn't matter when making choices for a healthy weight.
Eat right. Skip the drive-through places even if it's been a long, busy day. Snack only minimally, and keep fresh veggies or fruits on hand as snacks instead of potato chips or snack cakes. If fresh produce tends to go bad before your family gets a chance to eat it, there is nutrition in frozen or canned ones, too, so read the labels and get options that don't have added sugar or tons of salt. Get rid of soda and dilute juice. Drink water habitually.
Limit the use of screens. Staring and scrolling promote a sedentary lifestyle, which increases the likelihood of increased weight. Social media can also negatively affect mood and self-esteem, so laptops, phones and television should be used sparingly; if the whole family puts their phones down, young people tend to put up less of a fight about it.