CanadaNews’ Reporter Notes

Obesity. Just looking at the word bothers some people to no end. People excersie and work out hoping to overpower this dangerous situation. One thing you need to understand is obesity is different than being overweight. Obesity means having too much body fat, while being overweight means simply weighing too much. It’s true that both terms mean that a person’s weight is greater than what is considered healthy for his or her height. Many of us can relate to this.

Children grow at different rates, so it isn’t always easy to know when a child is obese or overweight. Yet, if a child doesn’t exercise, he/she will not lose any of that body fat.

Childhood obesity is one of the biggest problems concerning young people today. In the last 30 years, the percentage of children and adolescents who are considered obese has more than doubled, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The number of obese children has more than tripled since 1980. 16 percent of children and teens ages 6 to 19 have been listed as overweight from 1999-2002. Sadly, another 15 percent were considered at risk of becoming overweight. The majority of the increase began in the late 1970s. In addition, by the end of 1997, about 5.3 million young people ages 6-17 were estimated to be seriously overweight.

There is no generally accepted definition for obesity as distinct from overweight in children and adolescents’ Body Mass Index (BMI). It was estimated that 14 million children, ages 2–17, are obese. It is also believed that an additional 8.6 million children are at risk for obesity, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association.

There has been direct links with obesity and hospital costs. Obesity-associated annual hospital costs for children and youth more than tripled over two decades. This rise from $35 million to $127 million clearly shows there are major financial circumstances in children not properly exercising.

Children with no insurance or public insurance, like Medicaid, are more likely than those covered by other insurance to be overweight. A 2003 study looks at the association of race, socioeconomic status, and health insurance status with the prevalence of overweight among children and adolescents.

Taking a sharper look at this shows white teen girls have a much lesser chance of being overweight the more their socioeconomic status improves. Some people look at it this way: The wealthier you are, the more likely you are at not being obese. This is not including genetics and lifestyle. Strikingly, among black teen girls, the issue of being overweight remains the same or increases with increasing socioeconomic status. An article entitled, Obesity Research written by P. Gordon-Larsen in 2003, looks closely at the relationship of ethnicity, socioeconomic factors, and overweight in U.S. adolescents.

I was attending a healthcare conference a few weeks ago when a person as if there was a connection between obese children and obese adults. One of the presenters during a session said it is believed that there is a significant concern regarding statistics between obese children and obese adults. These children often remain obese in adulthood. It is important to note that obesity alone is not a chronic condition. Obesity is a risk factor for four of the leading causes of death in the United States: coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and cancer.

The danger is strong for all children that don’t excerise of have any physical activity; but is greater for African-Americans, others of black desent and Hispanic children. These numbers are especially disturbing. Obesity among these children has increased by 120 percent over the past 30 years. This is compared to 50 percent among white children.

Out of all ethnic genders the highest numbers were found in Hispanic females. Adolescent Hispanic women and white females both demonstrated significantly lower levels of self-esteem by their early adolescence. These two groups were more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors such as smoking or consuming alcohol.

These increases have affected the cost of health care in the United States. According to one study, an estimated $92.6 billion dollars was spent on health care during 2002 as a result of overweight and obesity in the United States.

Overweight and obesity are very sensitive topics. You have to be delicate in dealing with the situation and talking to you children too. It’s a real challenge in addressing your children. In 2001, the former United States Surgeon General David Satcher released an article entitled: Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity. The article tackled tough ways to talk to your children on the issues of obesity and being overweight. He said, “When there are no safe places for children to play, or for adults to walk, jog, or ride a bike, that’s a community responsibility.” He further was noted by saying, “When lunchrooms or workplace cafeterias don’t offer healthy and appealing food choices, that’s a community responsibility. And when we don’t require daily physical education in our schools, that is also a community responsibility.”

I attended the National Association of Counties conference last week and spoke to several county elected officials from around the country in reference to ways to governments and help in the fight against obesity and being overweight in children.

One idea was to develop partnerships with a County Extension faculty. Basically someone who has professional support and resources from state land grant colleges and universities. This will provide high quality science-based education that increases knowledge, improves attitudes and builds skills directed at reducing the prevalence of childhood obesity. As a part of its mission, the Cooperative Extension System delivers nutrition education programs to the general public, promoting healthy eating patterns and physically active lifestyles.

Another idea is to organizing a coalition or develop a network to create environments that support enjoyable, healthy eating, physical activity and a positive self-image is another strategy.

Something communities can do is support schools that offer federally funded Nutrition and Wellness programs such as those implemented by the Cooperative Extension System. The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is an example of a nutrition and wellness program that is offered in schools, community centers and in the homes of families with children.

If a weight-loss program is necessary, involve the whole family in healthy habits so your child doesn’t feel singled out. You can encourage healthy eating by serving more fruits and vegetables and buying fewer sodas and high-calorie, high-fat snack foods. Physical activity can also help your child overcome obesity or being overweight. Kids need about 60 minutes each day.

Children diagnosed with obesity are more likely to suffer from earlier onset of chronic disease, have high medical costs, and in general will lead less healthy lives with a premature mortality rate. Their quality of life will lessen without them even knowing of the great things they have a chance to achieve.

Furthermore, youth obesity is associated with depression and teen pregnancy, as well as the occurrence of adult onset diabetes and hypertension in children. Currently, obesity in both adults and youth is increasing at alarming trends.

Eat balanced diets and get regular exercise. Parents get involved in your child’s life – without being overbearing. Remember, if you don’t someone else will.

Studies show that the physical environment and design of where they live, play a crucial role in influencing the positive diet and activity choices of families on a day to day basis.

For more information on childhood obesity, nutrition and wellness, please contact the Cooperative Extension Service in your area. If you are looking for more information please visit the following websites: USDA and University of Berkley.