Obesity Facts - Obesity in Children and
Adolescents - Statistics and Risk Factors
Kids are supposed to gain weight as they age; however professional is a limit to how much weight they should advancement. The prevalence of fast food, sugared snacks, computers, and record games, paired with a decrease in existing exertion, has caused increased U. S. children to eventually be overweight or obese.
A grave medical description captivating children ( ages 6 concluded 11 ) and adolescents ( ages 12 nailed down 19 ), childhood obesity occurs when a child is wrapped tight extreme the natural weight for his or her age and height. Further referred to in some studies seeing " childhood portly, " childhood obesity affects about 17 percent of U. S. children and adolescents.
Obesity Facts No. 1 - Causes and Risk Factors
In most cases, a child becomes overweight or obese neatly from eating severely much and exercising too little. However, licensed are some genetic diseases ( such Prader - Willi syndrome ) and hormonal disorders ( including Cushing ' s syndrome ) that answerability trigger the onset of childhood obesity.
Factors that contribute, either alone or in exchange with one also, to a child becoming overweight or obese include:
• high - calorie and / or long - fat diet • lack of physical activity • genetic disposition ( coming from a family of obese people ) • psychological factors ( eating to cope with issues ) • socioeconomic factors ( children from low - income families tend to have a greater risk due to lack of healthy options and health education )
Obesity Facts No. 2 - Importance of Combating Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity is associated with various health - related problems. Overweight children and adolescents may not only experience immediate health issues, including asthma and sleep apnea, but they may be at risk for weight - related health problems in adulthood, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and liver disease. Because of these health risks and possible psychological issues that may develop, it is important to get children to a healthy weight.