Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Jaya Bhatti
Mr. Koshman
Introduction
Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that can affect children and adolescents, and it
accumulation that may impair health" (Childhood Obesity Foundation, 2016). Overweight and
psychological health. In addition, overweight and obese children are likely to stay obese into
adulthood, and are more likely to develop chronic diseases. The main idea of this paper is how
childhood obesity can lead to chronic diseases as an adult, and discovering the consequences,
Obesity in children is a widespread issue in North America and internationally. "In 1990, 32
million infants and young children globally (aged 0 to 5) were overweight or obese. In 2013, the
number of infants and young children who were overweight or obese increased to approximately
42 million children worldwide" (World Health Organization, 2016). "It is estimated that by 2025,
if the same tendencies continue, 70 million young children and infants will be overweight or
obese" (World Health Organization, 2017). In Canada, there has been a major increase in obesity
rates that have been rising in these past decades. "Obesity rates among children and youth in
Canada have nearly tripled in the last 30 years" (Childhood Obesity Foundation, 2015), and it is a
throughout the rest of their childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Most adolescents do not
outgrow this problem and in fact, many continue to gain excess weight. If current trends
continue, by 2040, it is estimated that up to 70 percent of adults aged around 40 years old will
either be overweight or obese" (Bruce, 2014). Without taking action, childhood obesity can lead
HOW CHILDHOOD OBESITY CAN LEAD TO CHRONIC DISEASES 3
to chronic diseases and a wide range of serious health complications later in a person's life,
therefore as an adult.
Overweight and obesity in youth are essential public health concerns and are of a particular
interest because of its associations with leading to chronic diseases as an adult. "Kidney disease,
asthma, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, stroke, cardiovascular disease, non-
alcoholic fatty liver disease, gallbladder disease, lower body bone and joint problems,
osteoarthritis, grown abnormalities, breathing problems such as sleep apnea, certain kinds of
cancer, gout, rashes or fungal infections of the skin, and acne are illnesses that obese children are
at risk of developing as an adult" (Williams, 2008). In addition, "these illnesses, diseases, and
health problems brought on by childhood obesity take the lives of around 300,000 people each
year" (Williams, 2008). According to the Childhood Obesity Foundation, "adults who have dealt
with obesity through their childhood following along to their adulthood may die up to 3 to 7
"Chronic diseases will take the lives of over 35 million people each year, and there are many
other factors that can cause chronic diseases other than being overweight or obese. An unhealthy
diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use, harmful alcohol use, and infectious agents that are
responsible for cervical and liver cancers are all factors" (World Health Organization, 2005).
Additionally, some environmental factors, such as air pollution can contribute to a range of
chronic diseases including asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases. Psychosocial, genetic
factors, low birth weight, and aging also take a major role in what can cause chronic diseases.
Although, with all these other causes of chronic diseases, one of the most intermediate risk
factors along with raised blood pressure and abnormal blood lipids is being overweight or obese"
Every aspect of the environment and lifestyle in which children are born and raised can
contribute to their risk of becoming overweight or obese. "Choosing healthy foods for infants
and young children is critical because food preferences are established in early life" (Birch,
Savage, & Ventura, 2007). Getting enough physical activity per day is crucial to staying healthy,
and the increasingly urbanized and digitalized world is starting to offer fewer opportunities for
physical activity. Through this article we will look at consequences, contributors, and
preventions of childhood obesity. This will include looking at the food options being advertised
to kids, along with investigating the fact that children do not have a proper nutritional diet due to
lack of time or money. Furthermore, we will investigate how childhood obesity can lead to
chronic diseases, along with exploring the possibility of obesity being hereditary.
"Obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health"
(Childhood Obesity Foundation, 2016). Body mass index (BMI) is a measure used to determine
85th percentile and below the 95th percentile for children and teens of the same age and sex.
Obesity is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children and teens of the same
age and sex" (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016). Body mass index is calculated
by using age and height, "BMI is calculated by dividing a persons weight in kilograms by the
square of height in meters" (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016). BMI is age and
sex specific for children and teens, and it is often referred to as BMI-for-age. This is used
because "childrens body composition varies as they age and varies between boys and girls.
Therefore, BMI levels among children and teens need to be expressed relative to other children
of the same age and sex" (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016).BMI does not
HOW CHILDHOOD OBESITY CAN LEAD TO CHRONIC DISEASES 5
directly measure body fat, although research has shown that it measures more direct forms of
(underwater weighing), dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and other methods" (Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016). According to Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 2016, this growth chart is used as an indicator to measure the size and growth pattern
Normal or Healthy Weight 5th percentile to less than the 85th percentile
There are many reasons that can cause a child to be greater or equal to the 95th percentile, which
is classified as obese."Genetics are one of the biggest factors examined as a cause of obesity.
Some studies have found that BMI is 2540% heritable. Although, this genetic factor only
accounts for less than 5% of cases of childhood obesity" (Sahoo, Choudhury, Sofi, Kumar, &
Bhadoria, 2015). Therefore, while genetics can play a role in the development of obesity, it is not
the main cause of the dramatic increase of childhood obesity."The main causes of childhood
obesity are poor nutrition and lack of exercise" (Williams, 2008). When unhealthy, fatty or
HOW CHILDHOOD OBESITY CAN LEAD TO CHRONIC DISEASES 6
sugary foods are consumed along with deficient amounts of exercise, obesity is the main
psychological factors, and the environment children are being raised in.
"Eating high calorie foods regularly like fast foods, baked goods and vending machine snacks
increases weight" (Williams, 2008). The food being advertised to children these days has
increased obesity rates. "Foods served at fast food restaurants tend to contain a high number of
calories with low nutritional value" (Sahoo, Bhadoria Choudhury, Sofi, & Kumar, 2015). Many
families opt for these places as they are often favoured by their children and are often convenient
and inexpensive. Research shows that "close to 34% of children and adolescents from ages 2 to
19 eat fast food every day, resulting in a weight gain of 6 extra pounds per year, per child"
(National Health and Nutrition Exam Survey, 2012). "Sugary beverages have been proven to
increase BMI by small amounts over numerous years, from a study examining children aged 9-
14 from 1996-1998. Sugary drinks are less filling that food and can be consumed quicker, which
results in higher calorie intake" (Sahoo, Bhadoria Choudhury, Sofi, & Kumar, 2015). "A
Canadian survey showed that children's pop consumption continues to rise through the years, and
boys aged 6 to 11 consume the most, with drinking an average of 553 grams of soft drinks per
day, which is nearly two cans" (Canadian Community Health Survey, 2012). Lastly, portion
sizes have increased drastically in the past decade. "Consuming large portions, contribute to an
excessive calorie intake. This energy imbalance can cause weight gain, and consequently
With the abundance and availability of unhealthy foods, children are prone to becoming
overweight or obese when their eating habits are not balanced with a sufficient amount of
physical activity. "Technological luxuries including televisions, computers, laptops, and video
HOW CHILDHOOD OBESITY CAN LEAD TO CHRONIC DISEASES 7
games, contribute to childhood obesity" (Williams, 2008). Each additional hour of television per
day increases the occurrence of obesity by 2%" (Sahoo, Bhadoria Choudhury, Sofi, & Kumar,
2015). Television viewing among young children and adolescents has increased dramatically in
recent years. "In Canada, children aged 5 to 16 spend an average of six and half hours a day on
front of a screen, compared to around 3 hours in 1995" (Wakefield, 2015). This time spent on
mobile devices, video games, and televisions could be time spent participating in outdoor
activities such as playing catch with a friend, riding a bike, or playing a friendly game of soccer.
"Research has indicated that the number of hours children spend watching TV associates with
their consumption of the most advertised goods including sweetened cereals, sweets, sweetened
beverages, and salty snacks" (Sahoo, Bhadoria Choudhury, Sofi, & Kumar, 2015). The increased
amount of time spent in front of a screen, has decreased the amount of time spent in physical
activity, thus leading to the fact that activity level plays a major role in childhood obesity.
Lack of financial resources contribute to the dramatic rise in childhood obesity."Children raised
in low-income homes have a greater risk in becoming obese. Poverty may hold back parents
from being able to provide their children with exercise and a proper nutritional diet due to a lack
of time and money" (Williams, 2008). Furthermore, environmental factors take a toll in
childhood obesity. "Children of obese or overweight parents are more likely to be overweight or
obese" (Williams, 2008). Children inherit the lifestyle their parents live, they eat the same food,
and they mimic their parents level of activity. Every aspect of the environment and lifestyle in
which children are born and raised can contribute to their risk of becoming overweight or obese.
"Choosing healthy foods for infants and young children is critical because food preferences are
established in early life" (Birch, Savage, & Ventura, 2007). Lastly, psychological factors have
been proven to be a complex problem in childhood obesity. "Obesity can result from low self-
HOW CHILDHOOD OBESITY CAN LEAD TO CHRONIC DISEASES 8
esteem, depression, anxiety, stress, social problems or dramatic life events" (Mayo Clinic, 2016).
"Personal, parental, or family stress can make some children overeat to cope with problems in
their lives or to deal with emotions, such as stress or boredom" (Williams, 2008). Examples that
can lead to children overeating which can make them more susceptible to becoming obese
consist of, deaths that occur in the family, the divorce of parents, or moving to another home.
Overall, the causes of childhood obesity include a poor nutritional diet, children not getting
enough physical activity each day, children spending as excessive amount playing video games,
watching television, and spending time on their mobile devices. Additionally, other risk factors
include living in an environment where healthy eating and physical activity are not encouraged,
coming from a low-income home, and overeating to cope with stress or social problems. Lastly,
a main cause that could always be considered is the fact that obesity is hereditary.
There are many consequences that come with childhood obesity, including medical, physical,
mental, social, and emotional consequences. "Childhood obesity is associated with a higher
chance of premature death and disability in adulthood. Overweight and obese children are more
likely to stay obese into adulthood and develop medical conditions at a younger age" (World
Health Organization, 2017). "These medical conditions include, but are not limited to, asthma,
type II diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, stroke, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease,
non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, gallbladder disease, lower body bone and joint problems,
osteoarthritis, growth abnormalities, breathing problems such as sleep apnea, certain kinds of
cancer, rashes or fungal infections of the skin, and acne. Additionally, insulin resistance, glucose
intolerance, menstrual abnormalities, and impaired balance, are all illnesses that obese children
HOW CHILDHOOD OBESITY CAN LEAD TO CHRONIC DISEASES 9
are at risk of developing" (Williams, 2008). "Until recently, many of these health conditions
were only found in adults, although now they are extremely common in obese children. In the
worst cases, some of these health conditions can result in death (Sahoo, Bhadoria Choudhury,
Sofi, & Kumar, 2015). "Overweight and obesity are the fifth leading risk for global deaths. At
the least, 2.8 million adults worldwide die each year as a result of being overweight or obese,
from the chronic diseases and health brought on by obesity" (European Association for the Study
of Obesity, 2013).
In addition with being concerned about numerous medical concerns, emotional, social, and
mental health problems are another result of childhood obesity. In most cases, children who
suffer from childhood obesity often have low self-esteem issues and are most likely depressed.
"Children who are overweight or obese are often teased or bullied because of their weight"
(Mayo Clinic, 2016). Bullying and social emphasis on ones appearance can result in a loss of
self-esteem of an obese child and this can increase the risk of depression, because "low self-
esteem can create overwhelming feelings of hopelessness" (Mayo Clinic, 2016). Furthermore,
obesity in children can cause them to have trouble developing social skills, also they tend to
have more anxiety then a normal weight child" (Williams, 2008). These children could be
insecure about their appearance, which can make interacting with other people difficult. "These
problems might lead to children acting out and disrupting their classroom, or to completely
withdraw themselves socially" (Mayo Clinic, 2016). This often makes school difficult, and many
overweight children have trouble learning, which results in a poor academic outlook. "A research
study concluded that overweight and obese children were four times more likely to report having
problems at school than their normal weight peer" (Sahoo, Bhadoria Choudhury, Sofi, & Kumar,
2015).
HOW CHILDHOOD OBESITY CAN LEAD TO CHRONIC DISEASES 10
All in all, some outcomes of childhood obesity can result in serious health problems, and chronic
diseases developing at a young age. Additionally, these health problems progress as one goes
through adulthood, and some of these health problem could result in death. Other effects
childhood obesity causes a child other than an unhealthy weight include, emotional and social
health problems. These problems can affect how a child views themselves and most importantly,
Childhood obesity can be prevented if certain steps are taken. A healthy diet is important in the
process of preventing childhood obesity, along with an appropriate calorie intake" (Williams,
2008). Key things to remember are to limit a child's consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages,
provide plenty of fruits and vegetables, limit eating out, especial at fast-food restaurants, and
adjust portions sizes appropriately for age. Canada's Food Guide is a helpful resource when
balancing a healthy diet, because it illustrates the appropriate number of servings for each food
"The amount of spent watching television, using the computer, or any other devices should be
limited to less than 2 hours each day" (Mayo Clinic, 2016). Additionally, "children and
adolescents that are of the age 6 and older need at least one hour of physical activity per day in
order to stay healthy. Most of the hour should be either moderate or vigorous aerobic activity. In
least three days a week" (Laskowski, 2016). Playing on playground equipment along with
jumping rope cover all these bases at once. Lastly, a way to prevent childhood obesity can by
changing the environment and lifestyle in which you live. Parents need to set expectations for
HOW CHILDHOOD OBESITY CAN LEAD TO CHRONIC DISEASES 11
their children. When parents model making healthy eating decisions, and being physically active,
Conclusion
"The prevalence of obesity affects about 42 million infants and young children worldwide"
(Childhood Obesity Foundation, 2015). The growing issue of childhood obesity is a major health
concern that is not uncommon. "The percentage of obese children, aged 2 to 17 in Canada
increased from 15 percent to 26 percent, between 1978 to 2004" (Childhood Obesity Foundation,
2015). These numbers will continue to grow and threaten the health of many people, if a change
is not made. Children will soon be faced with many health problems including type 2 diabetes,
high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and much more. Childhood Obesity is preventable
and with a balance between a healthy diet and exercising daily, a child can reduce its risk of
becoming obese. These steps must be taken to prevent obesity, or the numbers will progress,
Bibliography
Williams, M. (2008, November 13). Research Paper On Childhood Obesity . Retrieved from
Research Paper On Childhood Obesity : https://soccer393.wordpress.com/2008/12/19/research-
paper-on-childhood-obesity
Canada's food guides. (2016, September 1). Retrieved from Canada's food
guides:https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/canada-food-guides.html.
Sahoo, Bhadoria Choudhury, Sofi, & Kumar. (2015, April 4). Childhood obesity: causes and
consequences. Retrieved from Childhood obesity: causes and consequences:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4408699/
Roberts, K. C. (2015, July 17). Overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. Retrieved
from Overweight and obesity in children and adolescents: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-003-
x/2012003/article/11706-eng.htm
Mayo Clinic. (2016, November 16). Childhood Obesity. Retrieved from Childhood Obesity:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-obesity/symptoms-causes/dxc-
20268891
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . (2016, October 20). Defining Childhood Obesity.
Retrieved from Defining Childhood Obesity:
https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/defining.html
World Health Organization. (2017). Facts and Figures on Childhood Obesity. Retrieved from
Facts and Figures on Childhood Obesity: http://www.who.int/end-childhood-obesity/facts/en/
Savage, Birch, & Ventura (2007, May 7). Influences on the Development of Children's Eating
Behaviours. Retrieved from Influences on the Development of Children's Eating Behaviours:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2678872/
European Association for the Study of Obesity. (2013). Obesity Facts and Figures. Retrieved
from Obesity Facts and Figures: http://easo.org/media-portal/obesity-facts-figures/
Laskowski, E. (2016, April 6). How Much Exercise Do Children Need. Retrieved from How
Much Exercise Do Children Need: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-
answers/kids-and-exercise/faq-20058336
HOW CHILDHOOD OBESITY CAN LEAD TO CHRONIC DISEASES 13
Wakefield, J. (2015, March 27). Children spend six hours or more a day on screens. Retrieved
from Children spend six hours or more a day on screens: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-
32067158
Sifferlin, A. (2015, September 16). Kids Eat Fast Food . Retrieved from Kids Eat Fast Food:
http://time.com/4035490/fast-food-kids/
HOW CHILDHOOD OBESITY CAN LEAD TO CHRONIC DISEASES 14