Rising levels of obesity among children
WHO
Childhood Obesity Foundation
41 million children under the age of 5 are overweight
Half of overweight children under the age of 5 lived in Asia and a quarter in Africa
This is highly preventable
Canada
In 2013, 42 million children were overweight or obese and 70 million children will be overweight or obese by 2025
Between 1978/79 and 2004, the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity among those aged two to 17 years increased from 15 percent to 26 per cent.2 Increases were highest among youth, aged 12 to 17 years, with overweight and obesity more than doubling for this age group, from 14 percent to 29 percent
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type 2 diabetes
high blood pressure and elevated blood cholesterol
liver disease
bone and joint problems
respiratory problems such as asthma
sleep disorders such as difficulty breathing while asleep (sleep apnea)
earlier than normal puberty or menstruation
eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia
skin infections due to moisture from sweat being trapped in skin folds
fatigue
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are more likely to be teased and bullied
are more likely to bully others
may have poor self-esteem and may feel socially isolated
may be at increased risk for depression
may have poorer social skills
may have high stress and anxiety
may have behaviour and/or learning problems as a result of psychological difficulties related to childhood obesity
Obesity rates among children and youth in Canada have nearly tripled in the last 30 years.
Obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. Childhood obesity is a medical condition that affects children and teenagers. Everyone has a body shape that is just right for him or her changes but sometimes we can store excessive body fat.
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Children at risk of becoming overweight or obese include children who:
consume food and drinks that are high in sugar and fat on a regular basis such as fast food, candy, baked goods, and ESPECIALLY pop and other sugar-sweetened beverages
are not physically active each day
watch a lot of TV and play a lot of video games, activities that don’t burn calories (sedentary time)
live in an environment where healthy eating and physical activity are not encouraged
eat to help deal with stress or social problems
come from a family of overweight people where genetics may be a factor, especially if healthy eating and physical activity are not a priority in the family
come from a low-income family who do not have the resources or time to make healthy eating and active living a priority
are exposed to the aggressive marketing of energy-dense foods and beverages to children and families
have a lack of information about sound approaches to nutrition
have a lack of access, availability and affordability to healthy foods
have a genetic disease or hormone disorder such as Prader-Willi syndrome or Cushing's syndrome