Levels of childhood obesity are increasing at alarming rates in many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, and are fast becoming one of the greatest health challenges. The American Obesity Association estimated that the percentage of obese adolescent and children in the United States are as high as 15% by far, and that the number will keep increasing. Child obesity is diagnosed by calculating a child's body mass index (BMI) using the same method as for adults (weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared), then comparing it to a specific age-adjusted charts.
Obesity is caused by two simple factors: an unhealthy diet that is too rich in sugar and fats, and insufficient exercise to burn off the calories consumed. Research suggests the increasing trend of child obesity is a result of continual reduction in the amount of exercise children take. This is often a matter of family lifestyles; many overweight children have overweight parents.
Obesity has many profound effects on a child's life. For one thing it increases the child's risk of numerous health problems such as heart disease and stroke, as obese children are more likely to be obese as adults. It can also create emotional and social problem; there are marked psychological effects of being obese leading to low self-esteem, which may affect other aspects of their lives such as the development of friendships and competency at school.
Further weight gain can be prevented for overweight child. Parents can help their children maintain healthy weight by giving healthy, nutritious snacks and ensure physical activities as part of their toddlers' daily routine. Television viewing, including video games and the Internet, should be limited to a maximum of seven hours per week. Older children can be taught to select healthy foods and to develop good exercise habits themselves.
