ADOLESCENT OBESITY

Kristin Wiley

Parents of obese children

Introduction

Past 3 decades the number of youth obese has tripled

Today, 12.5 million children and adolescents are obese (age 2-19)

Why is obesity increasing?

Common reason: eating more calories in food then they burn off in exercise)

Increase in “convenience foods” : high in calories and fat

Inactive lifestyle:

30 years ago: Kids play outside

Today: Video games, TV, computers Technology Exercise

Immediate Effects

Psychological impact of being overweight is devastating

Higher rates of sickness Lower self- esteem Diabetes Decreased social life/ interaction

Long-Term Health Effects

Heart problems High blood pressure Higher rates of sickness and death as

an adult Overweight kids are at higher risk than

adults to become obese Stroke Diabetes

Measurement and Identification of Obesity

Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculated by measuring:

Proportion of weight to height Calculated same for adults and children Categorized differently (BMI- for- age) http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/dnpabmi/ BMI

calculator for children and teens

Example Calculation

Johnny is a 11 year old boy, weighs 150 pounds, height: 5’1’’

RESULTS:BMI: 28.3

BMI- for –age: 98th percentile for boys

Obese and likely to have health- related problems due to weight

See health care professional

Categories of Obesity

Class I: BMI of 30-34.9 Class II: BMI of 35-39.9 Class III: BMI 40 or higher

*Based on this 1/3 of all Americans are considered obese

Most Affected?

African American girls Non- Hispanic girls Mexican- American boys

Influences and Causes

School pressures Family conflict Environmental influences Parents, community, and school CAN

make a difference

Parental Influence Development of a healthy home

environment Quantity of foods they provide Time children eat Amount/ type of food they eat Exercise?!

Parental Influence Continued

Increase in dual- earning families results in:

Less time being active

Cooking less nutritious foods

Allowing increased computer and TV time

Community Influences

First social group youth encounter beyond family

Promote active lifestyles:

Encourage more walking

More green space

Increased recreational activities

Limit number of fast food options

School Influence

Continuous, intense contact with children

Positive impact by promoting:

Physical activity

Providing foods

Educating children on nutrition

Obesity effects on school

Hunger, inadequate nutrition:

cognitive functioning

Academic achievement

Intervention

Earlier treatment, Higher success rates Treatment to kids 10-14 (highest

success rate):

They can grasp basis nutrition

Highest number to become “healthy, and stay healthy”

Prevention

Many… school based Healthy living curricula Changes in physical education Changes in food service Parent/ family changes

Treatment

Medical Educational School- based Family- based*

*Research indicates most successful and long term

Recommendations for Families

Turn off the TV More vegetables during dinner Get off the bus earlier and walk Smaller portion, skip dessert Walks after dinner Involve kids in grocery shopping and

cooking Family goals: healthy eating 4x’s a week

Sources:

http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy932 http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/facts.ht

ml http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/dnpabmi/