In observance of Childhood Obesity Month, we want to provide some facts to demonstrate how important it is that we help our children learn healthy habits.
- Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years.
- The percentage of U.S. obese children aged 6-11 years 7% in 1980 to nearly 18% in 2012.
- Similarly, adolescents aged 12-19 years who were obese increased from 5% to nearly 21% over the same period.
Long-term health effects of youth and adolescent obesity are:
- Higher risk for adult health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, osteoarthritis, and are more likely to be obese as adults.
- Increased risk for many types of cancer, including cancer of the breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, kidney, pancreas, gall bladder, thyroid, ovary, cervix, and prostate, as well as multiple myeloma and Hodgkin's lymphoma.
According to a 2014 Gallup Poll, the national incidence of obesity was 27.7 percent (up from 25.5 in 2008). The trend is alarming and it's clear that this is a health issue that families need to tackle together.
Please read our other posts thi month to learn how obesity can affect your health and what you can do help optimize your health.
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