- Knowledgebase: Nutrition, Exercise, and Obesity
- Questions about child nutrition, exercise, and obesity/weight loss.
- 16. Obesity: an introduction - Top
- Obesity is one of the most significant health problems in the United States today. The number of seriously overweight children and adolescents has more than doubled in the last three decades. It is estimated that almost 30 percent of children and teens are overweight and the numbers appear to be rising. An overweight adolescent has a 70 percent chance of becoming an obese adult, and obesity can lead to a higher risk of life threatening health problems including high blood pressure, premature heart attacks and diabetes. Aside from the physical risks, overweight children can exhibit emotional ramifications secondary to peer ridicule and labeling, including lower self-esteem levels.
Experts believe that children are becoming heavier due to a decrease in physical activity (modern transportation, television, computers and video games) combined with the increasing availability of higher calorie foods such as fast foods, higher-fat convenience foods and snacks. Though many heavy kids are labeled as "lazy", it is their size that actually limits their activity capabilities. The additional weight can result in reduced endurance, leg pains from stressed joints and often make simple activities more taxing.
Reduction in movement capabilities and exercise activities, combined with the potential for reduced self-esteem increases the probability of continued weight gain, or as we term "The Vicious Cycle of Childhood Obesity".
While diets can help shed pounds, a comprehensive approach that includes exercise, nutrition and behavior modification can result in long term success. A successful program should include:
-Dietary intervention that is individualized and monitored by the health care team.
-An exercise program that is safe, effective and realistic for overweight individuals. A graduated and realistic exercise prescription, tailored to individual capabilities, will additionally improve
-participation and long term compliance.
-Nutrition, exercise and behavior management education. - Updated: March 9, 2001
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