DOH presentation

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Obesity in Children
National Health Epidemic
Ahmed Abo-Baker, MD Future Pediatrics, LLC 2420
Jenks Ave, Suite 3 Panama City, FL
32405 850.767.4777
futurepediatrics.com
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What is Childhood Obesity?

• Excess percentage of body weight due to fat.
• Body Mass Index (BMI) - calculated from a
  childs weight and height.
• Serious medical condition!
• Childhood obesity leads to health problems once
  limited to adults (diabetes, high blood pressure
  and high cholesterol).

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National Health Epidemic

• 1 in 3 children/teens in U.S. are
  overweight/obese.
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  (CDC) indicate 1 in 3 young people born in the
  year 2000 will develop Type 2 Diabetes.
• Current generation of kids might be
• first in U.S. history to live shorter
• lives than their parents.

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Current Trends

• In last two decades, obese children doubled and
  obese adolescents tripled.
• National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
  (NHANES) state that 31.9 of children/adolescents
  are overweight and 16.3 are obese.

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What Factors Contribute to Obesity?

• DIET
• High-calorie foods/beverages are high in sugar.
• Fast foods
• Baked goods
• Vending machine snacks
• Soft drinks
• Candy desserts

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Obesity Factors cont.

• INACTIVITY
• Sedentary kids gain weight because they dont
  burn calories through physical activity.
• Watching television
• Surfing on the Internet
• Playing video games
• Cell phone usage

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Obesity Factors cont.

• GENETICS
• Children in overweight families are predisposed
• for excess weight, especially if high-calorie
  foods
• are available and physical activity isnt
  encouraged.

PSYCHOLOGICAL Some children overeat to cope with
problems or deal with emotions like stress.
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Obesity Factors cont.

• FAMILY ENVIRONMENT
• Children dont shop for the family groceries.
• Parents responsible for providing healthy foods -
  leave unhealthy foods at the store.
• Kids are attracted to sweet, salty
• and fatty foods, but parents
• control access to these foods.

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Obesity Factors cont.

• SOCIOECONOMIC
• Children from low-income backgrounds at greater
  risk for obesity.
• Poverty and obesity can go hand in hand.
• Parents in these circumstances may
• lack time/resources to make
• healthy eating/exercise a priority.

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Childhood ObesityCurrent Future Wellbeing

• Significant health risks!
• Long-term health problems requiring ongoing
  medical treatment/management.
• Research shows obese children have lower
  self-esteem and self-confidence than their
  thinner peers.

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Potential Health Risks with Obesity

• Glucose intolerance
• Insulin resistance
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Hypertension (HBP)
• High cholesterol
• Hepatic steatosis (FLD)
• Cholelithiasis (gallstones)
• Sleep apnea
• Asthma
• Skin conditions
• Menstrual abnormalities

• Impaired balance
• Orthopedic problems
• Low self-esteem
• Negative body image
• Depression
• Social stigma
• Teasing Bullying
• Discrimination

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WHAT CANYOU DO
to HELP Children Avoid a Lifetime of HEALTH RISKS?
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Prevention, Prevention, Prevention!
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Be Proactive!

• Schedule yearly well-child visits.
• Set a good example with eating habits.
• Avoid food-related power struggles with your
  child.
• Emphasize the positive - encourage a healthy
  lifestyle.

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Treatment for Obese Children

• Changes in diet and increased physical activity.
• Sometimes medications or weight-loss surgery.
• Children under seven, (with no other health
• concerns), may need weight maintenance vs.
• weight loss.
• Children over seven (or for younger
• children with health problems) need
• weight loss.

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Methods for Weight Management

• HEALTHY EATING
• Small changes can yield big results.
• Buy fruits/vegetables vs. convenience foods high
  in sugar/fat. Keep healthy snacks available.
• Never use food as a reward or punishment.
• Limit sweetened drinks and those with fruit
  juice.
• Discourage eating in front of TV or computer.
• Limit meals at fast-food restaurants!

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Weight Management cont.

• PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
• Physical Activity burns calories and builds
  bones and muscles.
• Limit recreational screen time to less than 2
  hours/day.
• Emphasize physical activities, not exercise.
• Find activities your child likes.
• If you want an active child, be active yourself.
• Vary the activities.

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Weight Management cont.

• MEDICATION
• Two prescription weight-loss drugs available for
• adolescents.
• Risks of taking medications long-term still
  unknown.
• Questionable effects on weight loss
• and weight maintenance.
• Weight-loss drugs still don't replace a
• healthy diet and exercise.

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Weight Management cont.

• WEIGHT-LOSS SURGERY
• Weight-loss surgery can be safe/effective for
  severely obese adolescents unable to lose weight
  with conventional weight-loss methods.
• Potential risks and long-term complications
• with any type of surgery.
• Long-term effects of weight-loss
• surgery on a child's future growth
• and development unknown.

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Important Reminder for Parents

• Help obese children feel loved and in control of
  their weight.
• Overweight children at increased risk of low
  self-esteem with
• social emphasis on appearance.
• Build up your child's self-esteem!
• Be open to discuss health and fitness, but
  sensitive so your child doesnt view the concern
  as an insult.

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References

• American Academy of Pediatrics - aap.org
• Mayo Clinic - mayoclinic.com
• American Heart Association - americanheart.org
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -
  cdc.gov