Childhood Obesity

Heart disease. Type II diabetes. Arthritis. Asthma. Cancer. These signs are usually associated with adults and seniors, but they have overwhelmingly been showing up in the childhood population thanks to childhood obesity (MICA 2010). Obesity is usually defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. Body mass index is measured on a height-to-weight scale, so an individual who is 5’9 and weighs 180 pounds will have a higher BMI than an individual who is 6’0 and weights 180 pounds. In the past decade, obesity in children has risen dramatically in Missouri. Prevalence of obese middle school children has increased 75% in the last five years, and the prevalence of obese high school students has increased by 64% (MICA 2010). Obesity leads to a lower quality of life and children have identified social discrimination due to obesity as the most immediate consequence of this disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has proclaimed that two modifiable factors that lead to obesity are diet and exercise (2010). The CDC’s following exercise requirements for children will combat obesity and lead to a higher overall quality of life:
• Children 6-17 should take part in aerobic activity for 60 or more minutes every day
• Children 6-17 should take part in muscle strengthening exercises (gymnastics, push-ups, etc) three days per week as a part of the 60 or more minutes
• Children 6-17 should take part in bone strengthening exercises (jumping rope, running, etc) three days per week as part of the 60 or more minutes
Type II diabetes is a disease in which the body becomes resistant to insulin. Insulin directs tissues in the body to absorb nutrients (especially sugar), so resistance to insulin causes hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) which causes high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and other serious conditions. Type II diabetes was once considered an adult condition, but the childhood obesity epidemic has causes this condition to increase dramatically in children and adolescents. It is no wonder that heart disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure occur more frequently in obese children (MICA 2010). Besides the immediate health risks, 70% of obese children grow-up to be obese adults. With 39.4% of Missouri’s children being overweight, obese, or at risk to become overweight or obese, the CDC’s exercise requirements must be enforced and must be employed in our children’s daily lives. As a community we need to support the physical education curriculum within Missouri’s school districts and we need to turn the T.V. off and force our kids to be active. Active children build lean muscle, lower blood sugar levels, and actively combat diabetes and heart disease. Besides the immediate health benefits associated with exercising, children who are fit enjoy a greater social experience, have more friends, and are happier overall than obese children (CDC 2010). We cannot always regulate what our children eat since they are under the care of teachers and other adults in the community, but as parents we must make it our responsibility to regulate how much time they spend playing and how much time children spend being sedentary. The slogan “Clay 60” is just a reminder that Clay County residents should make sure their children are playing and exercising for 60 minutes every single day.

References:

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010,May 10). How much physical activity do
children need.Retrieved October 6, 2010, from
http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/children.html

State of Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. (2010,October 10). Community
data profiles.Retrieved October 6,2010, from
http://www.dhss.mo.gov/CommunityDataProfiles/index.html