- What is obesity?
- Obesity is the overweight and obese in children .
- What are the reasons for obesity in children?
- The reason for obesity in the children are unhealthy food choices, lack of physical activity and family eating habits,Spending a lot of time on sedentary pursuits,Genetics,
- Is obesity only a national problem?
- No, it is not only a national problem because thetevels of childhood obesity are increasing at alarming rates in many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.
- What do statistics show?
- The statistic shows that from 1985 to 1995 the number of overweight 7–15 year olds almost doubled. The numbers of obese children has more than tripled. At the current rate, it is predicted that 65 per cent of young Australians will be overweight or obese by 2020
- What is making the obesity problem worse?
- The overall cost of food has gone down.
- More food is prepared away from home.
- Energy-dense foods and drinks are more readily available.
- Portion sizes have increased.
- Marketing of energy-dense foods and drinks has increased.
- The use of cars has increased.
- The number of two-income families has increased.
- The time spent in paid employment has increased.
- The role of physical education in the school curriculum has reduced.
- Does obesity have an impact on children's health?
If yes, explain how?
yes
- Type 2 diabetes – while this condition is most commonly seen in adults, it is now also being diagnosed in children
- Eating disorders such as bulimia or binge eating
- Orthopaedic disorders – problems with foot structure
- Liver problems, including fatty liver
- Respiratory disorders, such as blocked airways and restrictions in the chest wall, which cause breathlessness during exercise
- Sleep apnoea – this is a condition that causes difficulty breathing when sleeping. It also causes snoring, waking often and poor sleep. It makes people feel tired and contributes to poor concentration during the day
- Cardiomyopathy – a problem with the heart muscle, caused when extra effort is needed to pump blood.
- What are the other impacts caused by obesity in children?
- Obesity can have a major impact on how children feel about themselves and how they interact with others.
- Obese adolescents are more likely to have low self-esteem, which may impact on other aspects of their lives such as the development of friendships and competency at school.
- Being obese as a child or adolescent increases the risk of a range of diseases and disorders in adulthood,
- What is the treatment?
- Changing lifestyle and dietary patterns have contributed to increasing obesity rates in children.
- Lifestyle and diet changes can help children to maintain a healthy weight.
- Obesity can result in serious health problems in childhood and later life.
- Children who are obese tend to become obese adults.
