Child Obesity Statistics

By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
updated on 11/19/2007 at 03:05PM

An Enlightening Look at Child Obesity Statistics

Child obesity statistics are truly frightening. In fact, the number of children who are considered to be overweight has doubled in just the past 20 years, while the number of obese adolescents as tripled in that same timeframe! Unfortunately, there are many health issues as well as social consequences resulting from this increasingly problematic phenomenon.

The Unsettling Truth of Child Obesity Statistics

Sadly, approximately 16% of adolescents between the ages of twelve and nineteen are obese, while children between the ages of six and eleven are not far behind. This steady rise in obesity rates is troubling. As of 1988-1994 only 11% of children and teens fell into this category. And between 1976 and 1980 a mere 7% of children and 5% of adolescents qualified as obese.

The Facts Behind Child Obesity Statistics

Just as with adults, there are a variety of potential causes for child obesity, most of which are either preventable or reversible. These include:

Lack of physical activity – watching too much television, playing too many video games, and lack of regular exercise can lead to child obesity.
Poor eating habits – eating too often or consuming foods high in fats, carbohydrates, and sugars can cause a child to become obese.
Environment – advertisements on the television, in magazines, and on the radio can encourage children to eat and, therefore, may lead to obesity.
Poor role modeling – If parents fail to model healthy eating choices and regular exercise, their children may fail to see the importance of healthy eating and exercise.
Low socioeconomic status – research has shown that children in families with low incomes or whose parents do not work, are more likely to be obese than their peers.
Genetics – which (at least for the time being) cannot be modified, are another potential cause of child obesity. Children with obese parents have a greater chance of being obese as well, though this is not a guarantee.

Child Obesity Statistics and Family Beliefs

The belief systems of families have a larger impact on child obesity statistics than many people realize. Since the parents serve as the primary role models for children, their belief systems play the largest role in developing the belief systems of their children.

According to the American Obesity Association, 78% of parents felt that recess and physical education should not be reduced or completely replaced by academic classes. Unfortunately, with State and Federal pressures to raise scores on standardized testing, more and more schools are choosing to get rid of these opportunities for children to be physically active. Which means the responsibility of providing opportunities for physical activity rests increasingly with the parents.

Despite the overwhelming number of parents who believe recess and physical education are an important component of the school curriculum, 27% of parents in this same study admitted that their children do not eat as healthily as they did when they were children. Furthermore, 24% said their children are not as physically active as they were. In addition, only 12% of parents felt their children were overweight – despite statistics showing that approximately 16% of children actually are.

Preventing Child Obesity

If you’re a parent and are concerned about your child’s weight, there are several steps you can take to prevent them from being included within these disturbing child obesity statistics. Most of these measures are very simple and don’t require much effort at all. They include:

Assign active chores such as washing the car, mowing the lawn, and vacuuming to each member of the family.
Get your child interested in sports and encourage them to join a community or school team.
Enroll your child in classes such as gymnastics, tennis, or martial arts.
Place limits on how much television your child is allowed to watch.
Set time aside regularly for the family to engage in a physical activity, such as bicycling, hiking, rollerblading, or walking.
Plan healthy meals for the entire family and let your child help you prepare them.
Encourage your children to take their time when eating their meals and avoid doing other activities, such as watching television, while eating.
Don’t serve your child large portions and never force them to”clean their plate.”
Don’t eat fast food more than one day per week.
Never reward or punish them with food.

With child obesity statistics revealing that some overweight children are attempting to lose weight in unhealthy ways, it’s imperative for parents to show them how to make healthy choices. In fact, a 1999 national survey of high school students revealed that 13% of these students had fasted in order to lose weight, while 8% of students used diet pills or other supplements without consulting a doctor and 5% induced vomiting or took laxatives in order to lose or control their weight.

About the Author

Dr. Edward F. Group III is the founder of Global Healing Center, Inc. He continues to develop, sell and evaluate exclusively high-end natural and organic healthcare products to support a wide range of health conditions. For more information, please visit www.slimirex.com and www.weightlossobesity.com.