As the AHA notes, this rate is nearly triple what it was in 1963.
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But hope is not lost.
A BMI at or above the 95thpercentile for children of the same age and sex is classified as obesity.
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Body Mass Index
BMI is a dated, flawed measure.
It does not take into account factors such asbody composition, ethnicity, sex, race, and age.
Children with obesity are also at a much greater risk of developingtype 2 diabetes.
Additionally, children with obesity are more likely to have breathing problems, such as asthma andobstructive sleep apnea.
Finally, as many experts have noted, obesity or overweight in childhood often leads to obesity in adulthood.
Causes
It is impossible to point to one singlecauseof the childhood obesity epidemic.
Rather, a variety and combination of factors are at play.
A number of studies have investigated the reasons for elevated rates of childhood obesitywith more studies ongoing.
A moresedentary lifestylehas certainly been found to be prevalent in many studies.
Poor nutrition choices of calorie-dense foods have also been linked to childhood obesity.
Many studies have found a relationship between certain dietary behaviorssuch as consuming sugary beveragesand obesity.
Managing Childhood Obesity
Having a child receive a diagnosis of obesity is hard for any parent.
Dont underestimate the power of eating a home-cooked meal around the family table.
As the CDC notes, Consumption of fast food has been linked to weight gain in adults.
Poor nutrition choices with calorie-dense foods have also been linked to childhood obesity.
In contrast, foods cooked at home often have higher dietary quality and less sodium and saturated fat.
A number of treatments are now available for obesity.
In addition to lifestyle changes, these include anti-obesity medications and bariatric (weight-loss) surgery.
Kids may experience greater side effects from medications or more invasive treatments.
However, it is important to discuss all the possibilities and best options for your child with their pediatrician.
Vikraman S, Fryar CD, Ogden CL.
Caloric intake from fast food among children and adolescents in the United States, 2011 2012.
NCHS Data Brief No.
213, September 2015.
