Populations Affected
Today, Childhood obesity is a global epidemic which the World Heal Organization, among other international health organizations take very seriously. It is estimated that over forty million overweight or obese children are under the age of five years old. Children under this age are quite vulnerable to diseases. Childhood obesity affects young children as well as adolescents. It is estimated that about fifty percent of diseases that occur globally are related to obesity. Other than the health effects of obesity, children with obesity are affected mentally and physically throughout their childhood, and they may experience problems all the way to their adulthood. Overweight children get bullied at school, are often lonely and depressed, have low self-esteem and do not participate in various co-curricular activities.
Population Demographics
Childhood obesity affects children between the ages of two and nineteen. Obesity is very high in these age groups, especially in the United States. In general, the prevalence of childhood obesity in the US stands at about eighteen percent. Those aged between two and five have the lowest prevalence rates of about thirteen percent while those aged between twelve and nineteen have the highest prevalence rates of about twenty percent. Childhood obesity is also seen to be highest in Hispanics and lowest in non-Hispanic Asians in the US. The prevalence for Hispanics is about twenty-five percent while that of non-Hispanic Asians is only eleven percent. The prevalence for blacks is twenty-two percent while the prevalence for whites is fourteen percent.
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Where do they live?
Study results show that most children with obesity live in low-income neighborhoods. According to the study, parents who did not go past high school in their education are more likely to develop obesity as compared to those who proceeded to college. In turn, children of parents with lower education levels are more likely to develop obesity as compared to those whose parents have higher education levels. Most often, people with higher education levels live in high-income neighborhoods as they have good paying jobs. In general, a majority of children with obesity live in low-income areas. The prevalence of childhood obesity as of 2014 stood at about twenty percent in low-income and middle-income groups. The prevalence was at about ten percent in the high-income group.
Current Health Status
In the United States, the numbers and percentages of children with obesity have tripled since the late twentieth century. The numbers are increasing, and more and more children are developing obesity. Increase of fast food stores, especially in developed countries such as the United States, has been attributed to the rise in the number of children with obesity. The alarming rates of childhood obesity have made the World Health Organization to include it as a global health issue. Other than the fact that childhood obesity itself significant affects victims, it is also directly associated with over fifty percent of all the disease worldwide. With the current trends, it is estimated that about sixty percent of all diseases worldwide will be directly associated with obesity.
Known Facts about the Population
Prevalence of childhood obesity is highest in the age group between twelve and nineteen, but children under the age of five are most vulnerable. Childhood obesity is associated with a lot of serious diseases including chronic diseases. Children under the age of five are more vulnerable to these diseases. Children with obesity experience lots of problems in school. Obese children get bullied, are considered ‘cool’ among other children, lack proper self-esteem, and do not have friends. Such children can easily develop severe mental health problems such as depression. Children with obesity often eat large portions of food and also eat more regularly. Childhood obesity is sometimes associated with ‘eating’ disorder.
Gaps in Knowledge
The fact that childhood obesity prevalence in high-income families is low suggests that such families practice proper diets and ensure that children practice healthy eating. However, the fact that there still exist many children with obesity even from the high-income families suggests that a lot is still not known concerning the causes of childhood obesity and the population affected. There may be more to just the type of food or eating habits. It is not known if there are genetic causes or risks for childhood obesity.
Possible Solutions to Childhood Obesity and their influence on Public Health
Most people today like to eat away from home, especially during the day. Most people only eat one home-made meal a day. Other people do not cook at all. Eating home-cooked meals is one of the most proper and efficient ways of solving the problem of childhood obesity. Children learn from what adults around do all day. Parents must show children that it is important to stick to home-cooked meals. Adults can pack cooked food while they go to work. Children too can have cooked food packed for them while they go to school. Eating food made from home does not only ensure children eat healthy food buts also minimizes the chances of children developing other food-related diseases.
Limiting TV time also presents as another solution to the problem of childhood obesity. Children spend lots of hours, on average, watching TV than they spend in class and in physical activities. More time spent on TV means less time spent on physical activities. Lack of physical activity is a significant risk for childhood obesity. Limiting TV time is an efficient way of ensuring that children participate in physical activities which reduces their risks of developing obesity and the related disease conditions.
