Childhood Obesity: A Growing Problem

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Childhood Obesity A Growing Problem

• Evan Mahoney
• Health and Exercise Science
• Rowan University

2
What is Childhood Obesity?

• Overweight and obesity for children and
  adolescents is defined as being at or above the
  85th and 95th percentile of Body Mass Index
  (BMI).
• The Body Mass Index is a popular method used to
  gauge whether or not a person is overweight. BMI
  is calculated by dividing a person's weight (in
  kilograms) by his or her height (in meters,
  squared).

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Prevalence

• Approximately 30.3 percent of children (ages 6 to
  11) are overweight and 15.3 percent are obese.
  For adolescents (ages 12 to 19), 30.4 percent are
  overweight and 15.5 percent are obese.

4
Childhood Obesity Shows No Signs of Stopping

• According to the Centers for Disease Control
  (CDC), childhood obesity is increasing at an
  alarming rate.

5
Health Implications of Childhood Obesity

• Asthma
• Diabetes (Type 2)
• Hypertension
• Heart Disease
• Orthopedic Complications
• Sleep Apnea
• Psychosocial Effects Stigma

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Preventable Causes
I want to be active!

• Lack of Physical Activity
• Sedentary behavior
• Socioeconomic Status
• Eating Habits
• Environment

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Non-Preventable Causes

• Genetics - Greater risk of obesity has been found
  in children of obese and overweight parents.

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Prevention

• Increase knowledge base in parents
• Increase health related knowledge base in
  children.
• Increase national awareness of Childhood Obesity

9
Physical Educations Role

• Get kids moving in class
• Teach lifetime skills and games
• Teach students healthy eating habits
• Teach students benefits of a healthy lifestyle
• Teach fun and practical exercise activities

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References and Awareness Websites

• www.obesity.org
• www.healthiergeneration.org
• www.americascores.org
• www.kidsources.com
• www.cdc.gov