Children's Obesity Rates Growing
Question: What is the biggest health threat for our children?
Answer: You might guess accidents or substance abuse - but think again. According to Angela Collinson, a Certified Women's Health Nurse Practitioner at the St John Center for Wellness and Family Medicine, obesity is the number one health threat for children in the United States.
The American Obesity task force estimates that 30% of American children can be classified as overweight and one in six children are obese. This rate has quadrupled since 1963.
The International Obesity task force now predicts an OBESITY PANDEMIC. There are now more overweight children in the world than undernourished. The children in this generation may be the first to die before their parents because of health problems related to weight.
Therefore, parents should be concerned about childhood obesity as it relates to their child's overall health. All major illnesses have links to obesity. Eighty percent of type 2 Diabetes, 70% of cardiovascular disease, 42% of breast and colon cancer, and 26% of hypertension are related to obesity. Type 2 (formerly adult onset) diabetes is now common among children and adolescents, whereas one generation ago, it was a rare occurrence. Metabolic syndrome, also called insulin resistance or syndrome X is a precursor of type 2 diabetes.
Let's look at some of the causes. Our Standard American Diet includes many processed and fast foods, high calorie foods and liquids (soda pop and juice boxes). Processed foods contain two major culprits: high fructose corn syrup and trans fats. High fructose corn syrup is a "new to nature' molecule derived from corn. This sweetener is preferred by manufacturers because it is less expensive than cane sugar.
It is problematic because it stimulates our appetites without sending a signal of fullness to our brain and increases carbohydrate cravings. It is present in virtually all processed foods including bread, salad dressings, cereals, granola bars, and is the main ingredient in pop.
Trans fat is also known as hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fat. It is a manufactured fat in which a hydrogen molecule is added to an edible oil/fat to enhance shelf life. Trans fat has clearly been linked to increased risk of heart disease and stroke. It creates inflammation and affects how the cell membranes work. Although new FDA regulations in 2006 require labeling of foods with trans fat there is a loophole. Foods may contain one half gram of trans fat per serving and still claim no trans fat. However, no amount is safe.
Portion size is another culprit which has steadily increased over the last few decades while physical activity has decreased. A typical cheeseburger now contains 600 calories compared to 280 calories 20 years ago. The original Coke was 6.5 ounces, while today the 20 ounce bottle is common. On a given day 30% of children in the US will eat fast food. According to Healthy Weight 2010, 35% of the family food budget is currently spent on fast food. 96% of American children recognize Ronald Mc Donald (only Santa Claus ranked higher)!! Our schools continue to offer fast food vendors and vending machines, despite studies that show children would choose healthier options if they were available.
Marketing to children contributes to the problem. The average child views more than 20.000 commercials per year of products, which are then placed strategically at child eye level on store shelves. Food products advertised during children's programming reflect an average of 2,500 calories and 106 fat grams per hour. While children watch TV and play computer games, they are not being active. Forty percent of children watch more than two hours per day of TV, in addition to video and computer time. Seventy eight percent of Americans do not meet basic activity level recommendations and 25% are completely sedentary.
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