Nutrition: Foundations for Life

Obesity

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Obesity/BMI

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Obesity has been increasing in the United States over  the last several decades.   Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 1999) indicate that 15% of children ages 6-19 are overweight, with trends showing a steady increase from a prevalence of 4% in 1963.  

Why is obesity increasing?
Causes of increased rates of obesity are many and varied, and include the following:

  • Decreased exercise because of Increased sedentary activities:  television, video games and computers

  • Advertising which encourages consumption of high calorie foods

  • Increased portion sizes at home and when eating out.

  • Increased eating out rather than at-home, which increases not only portion size, but also increases calories and fat content.

  • Widespread consumption of high calorie snacks, with snacks often used to pacify or reward children

  • Over-consumption of juice in young children

In Texas, 36.7% of children under age 18 are at-risk for overweight   (BMI>85 percentile for age)  and an additional 22.1% of children are overweight (> 95% BMI for age) (10).

What are the risks to a child for being overweight?
Overweight status is associated with increased risk for insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, orthopedic problems, pseudotumor cerebri, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, fatty changes in the liver, and assaults to self-esteem and emotional wellness.  

Assessment of “risk for overweight” and “overweight” are based on Body Mass Index (BMI), the ratio of weight/height2.  BMI is most easily calculated as

 kg ÷ (cm)2 X 10,000

OR

 pounds ÷ (inches)2 X 703

Any child with a BMI above 85th percentile is at-risk for overweight, and any child above the 95th percentile is overweight.  Overweight status is associated with increased risk of several complications, including insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemias, obstructive sleep apnea, orthopedic problems, pseudotumor cerebri, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, and fatty changes in the liver.

  

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