Obesity in Children

1. Obesity in Children National Health Epidemic Ahmed Abo-Baker, MD Future Pediatrics, LLC 2420 Jenks Ave, Suite 3 Panama City, FL 32405 850.767.4777 futurepediatrics.com

2. What is Childhood Obesity? • Excess percentage of body weight due to fat. • Body Mass Index (BMI) - calculated from a child’s weight and height. • Serious medical condition! • Childhood obesity leads to health problems once limited to adults (diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol).

3. National Health Epidemic • 1 in 3 children/teens in U.S. are overweight/obese. • U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate 1 in 3 young people born in the year 2000 will develop Type 2 Diabetes. • Current generation of kids might be first in U.S. history to live shorter lives than their parents.

4. Current Trends • In last two decades, obese children doubled and obese adolescents tripled. • National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) state that 31.9% of children/adolescents are overweight and 16.3% are obese.

5. What Factors Contribute to Obesity? DIET High-calorie foods/beverages are high in sugar. Fast foods Baked goods Vending machine snacks Soft drinks Candy & desserts

6. Obesity Factors cont. INACTIVITY Sedentary kids gain weight because they don’t burn calories through physical activity. Watching television Surfing on the Internet Playing video games Cell phone usage

7. Obesity Factors cont. GENETICS Children in overweight families are predisposed for excess weight, especially if high-calorie foods are available and physical activity isn’t encouraged. PSYCHOLOGICAL Some children overeat to cope with problems or deal with emotions like stress.

8. Obesity Factors cont. FAMILY ENVIRONMENT Children don’t shop for the family groceries. Parents responsible for providing healthy foods - leave unhealthy foods at the store. Kids are attracted to sweet, salty and fatty foods, but parents control access to these foods.

9. Obesity Factors cont. SOCIOECONOMIC Children from low-income backgrounds at greater risk for obesity. Poverty and obesity can go hand in hand. Parents in these circumstances may lack time/resources to make healthy eating/exercise a priority.

10. Significant health risks! Long-term health problems requiring ongoing medical treatment/management. Research shows obese children have lower self-esteem and self-confidence than their thinner peers. Childhood ObesityCurrent & Future Wellbeing

11. Potential Health Risks with Obesity Glucose intolerance Insulin resistance Type 2 Diabetes Hypertension (HBP) High cholesterol Hepatic steatosis (FLD) Cholelithiasis (gallstones) Sleep apnea Asthma Skin conditions Menstrual abnormalities Impaired balance Orthopedic problems Low self-esteem Negative body image Depression Social stigma Teasing & Bullying Discrimination

12. WHAT CANYOU DO to HELP Children Avoid a Lifetime of HEALTH RISKS?

13. Prevention, Prevention, Prevention!

14. Be Proactive! • Schedule yearly well-child visits. • Set a good example with eating habits. • Avoid food-related power struggles with your child. • Emphasize the positive - encourage a healthy lifestyle.

15. Treatment for Obese Children • Changes in diet and increased physical activity. • Sometimes medications or weight-loss surgery. • Children under seven, (with no other health concerns), may need weight maintenance vs. weight loss. • Children over seven (or for younger children with health problems) need weight loss.

16. Methods for Weight Management HEALTHY EATING Small changes can yield big results. • Buy fruits/vegetables vs. convenience foods high in sugar/fat. Keep healthy snacks available. • Never use food as a reward or punishment. • Limit sweetened drinks and those with fruit juice. • Discourage eating in front of TV or computer. • Limit meals at fast-food restaurants!

17. Weight Managementcont. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY Physical Activity burns calories and builds bones and muscles. • Limit recreational screen time to less than 2 hours/day. • Emphasize physical activities, not exercise. • Find activities your child likes. • If you want an active child, be active yourself. • Vary the activities.

18. Weight Managementcont. MEDICATION • Two prescription weight-loss drugs available for adolescents. • Risks of taking medications long-term still unknown. • Questionable effects on weight loss and weight maintenance. • Weight-loss drugs still don't replace a healthy diet and exercise.

19. Weight Managementcont. WEIGHT-LOSS SURGERY • Weight-loss surgery can be safe/effective for severely obese adolescents unable to lose weight with conventional weight-loss methods. • Potential risks and long-term complications with any type of surgery. • Long-term effects of weight-loss surgery on a child's future growth and development unknown.

20. Important Reminder for Parents… • Help obese children feel loved and in control of their weight. • Overweight children at increased risk of low self-esteem with social emphasis on appearance. • Build up your child's self-esteem! • Be open to discuss health and fitness, but sensitive so your child doesn’t view the concern as an insult.

21. References • American Academy of Pediatrics - aap.org • Mayo Clinic - mayoclinic.com • American Heart Association - americanheart.org • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - cdc.gov