Child Obesity Facts to Astound You

Children are facing the perils of obesity at an alarming rate with 17% of kids between the ages of 6 to 19 being overweight or obese, according to researchers.

This is a major concern because obesity is the cause of many major health concerns later in life. This does not only affect the person themselves, but those who love them and society in general as this causes health insurance to rise and eventually decreases the number of people who are fit to work, thus putting a strain on the economy.

Childhood Obesity Statistics reveal alarming facts

In 2004, a research report written about a study that lasted from 1999 to 2002 entitled "Prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents: United States" conducted by the CDC revealed that "16 % children (over 9 million) 6-19 year olds are overweight or obese" this is three times what it was in 1980. In addition, this report brings out the fact that also during this same time period an additional 15% were "at risk of becoming overweight".

Not only has this number tripled, but in the past three decades (according to this same study) obesity has "more than doubled" in both children and adolescents from ages 2-5 and also ages 12-19 while more than tripling in children between the ages of 6-11.

Childhood obesity – a burden on the hospital system

In the twenty years from 1979-1991 the hospital costs for children and youth have risen from 35 million in 1979-1981 to 127 million from 1997-1991 (Preventing childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance, 2005, Institute of Medicine).

Obese children are paying dearly and at their young age are not realizing this. Type 2 Diabetes has risen from 4% new cases seen in the pre-1990's to between 8-45% during the 1990's. In addition the incidence of a single risk factor for heart disease has also risen to nearly 60% of children between the ages of 5 and 10 years old who are obese. Not only has that, but those with at least 2 risk factors also risen to 25%. Some of these risk factors are those that generally we associate with the elderly, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high triglycerides. These children are having diseases at 5 and 10 years old that in the past took decades to get.

Some nations that have a higher rate of obesity and should also be staring at their stomachs instead of their toes are Samoa with a 74% of child obesity compared to that of America's 34% and China's 2%. These particular statistics represent the high, mid-range and the low rate of obesity per nation. These statistics come from International Obesity Task Force, WHO figures 2002.

These child obesity facts translate to a strain on our hospital systems, which are already overburdened with long waiting lists for elective surgery and a lack of beds to treat the elderly. If more parents and children make an honest effort to tackle child obesity, the savings could run in the millions.

The economic cost of child obesity

Children who are obese and develop complications due to obesity will require extensive medical care for their entire life. As they age, the severity of their health issues may cause their education to be affected. This is due to missed school, lack of concentration, and decreased ability to learn.

In turn this will affect the ability of these children to be employable as they reach adulthood. Between the major medical costs that obese people incur, and the probable need for these people to be cared for by society over the course of their lives, the expense becomes immense.

Nations as a whole need to recognize that child obesity will lead to a major depletion of wealth. Governments and the private sector need to join hands in finding specific solutions for the children who are facing this issue to lessen the cost over the long run.

Why are these children suffering as if they have been eating and assaulting their bodies for decades when in reality they have been alive for only 5 or 10 years? The first, of two main causes, is the fast food that is prevalent, not only in America, but in most other nation. Besides American fast food restaurants, such as Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and other down home American favorites, most countries also have their own fast food equivalents as well.

Obesity has been a significant health issue in the United States for several years and has far reaching consequences for nations all around the globe. Almost all chronic adult health problems are compounded by obesity. Weight loss programs have become a way of life in American society, and workout gyms are available in almost every city, except maybe the smallest towns.

Even with all these measures in place, child obesity has increased and become one of the major health problems to inflict global societies. The rise of child obesity has now become a paramount health concern.

Even toddlers are beginning to show chronic weight problems. The primary concern with child obesity is the future health problems these overweight children will face and what they will cost us as a society.