Childhood Obesity

Thomas Britt, MD., MPH

Obesity in children, adolescence and adults has grown to epidemic proportions and data suggests that Chicago’s obesity rates are among the worst in the United States. Obesity in adults is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) as (weight in kg/height2 in meters; or weight in pounds/height2  in inches x 703). In children younger than 12 years, obesity is defined as >95th percentile of the growth charts.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that childhood obesity cost the nation more than $3 billion annually. African Americans and Latino children have the highest obesity rates in the U.S.

  • The prevalence of obesity in Chicago’s children, 3-7 years old is 22% or more than double the U.S. rates for similar aged children.
  • Overall childhood obesity in the nation is 16.8% compared to 11.8% in non-Hispanic white community on Chicago’s north side
  • 34% in the Mexican American community on Chicago’s west side; and 56.4% in non-Hispanic black community on Chicago’s south side 1

While obesity in children is associated with or is a risk factor for other diseases, data does not show that obesity develops from an underlying medical process. Indeed the majority of obese children have no underlying disease that causes obesity 2. Obesity is considered a disease by itself and a significant risk factor for co-morbidities such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and other chronic diseases that are not restricted to adults or old people. There are growing numbers of children, adolescents and young adults who are suffering from chronic diseases heretofore thought to be “old-folk” diseases. Obesity creates and sustains a  diminishing self-image at all ages. Fat jokes are unsettling at all ages. On the school and park playgrounds, obese children are usually not chosen to participate in competitive physical activities; this damages their self-esteem and over time exacerbates their obesity.  Childhood obesity is also a key risk factor for obesity in adulthood. A Japanese study by Kotani, K., Nishida, M., et al in 1997, reported that 33% of obese children became obese adults. It has also been noted that a child with an obese parent has a greater likelihood of being obese. With these facts in mind, more research focusing on assessing obesity rates in our schools are needed.  Data collected from these studies can be used in larger research project whose ultimate goal is reduction of childhood obesity via policy and program changes that improves school nutrition and physical activity. Success of these programs are also predicated on a wholistic approach involving the entire family.

References:

  1. Margellos-Anast, Helen, et al, Prevalence of obesity Among Children in Six Chicago Communities: Findings from a Health Survey. Public Health Reports, March-April 2008, Vol. 123.
  2. Baker, Jennifer L., et al, Evaluation of the Overweight/Obese Child-Practical Tips for the Primary Health Care Provider: Recommendations from the Childhood Obesity Task Force of the European Assoc. for the Study of Obesity. The European Journal of Obesity, 2010;3: 131-137.