We don’t want to scare you. On the other hand, maybe we do. The statistics for childhood obesity are more than alarming. In January of this year, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) released the latest numbers for children. Here’s what they say: “The percentage of children with obesity in the United States has more than tripled since the 1970s. Today, about one in five school-aged children (ages 6–19) have obesity”.
If that’s not enough to get your attention, we now also know more about the effects of obesity on not only short term health, but long term as well. Young people with obesity not only suffer physical problems like heart disease, diabetes, and joint and bone issues; they may also struggle with bullying and body image issues. Researchers now also know that being obese when you’re young hugely impacts the chances of being obese when you’re older.
If you need more information about childhood obesity and its effects, check out these resources from the NIH. If you’re concerned about a young friend or loved one, consider talking to your doctor or pediatrician. Childhood obesity should not be ignored. It should be treated like any other medical condition. Every young person deserves the chance to live a long, active, healthy life and with the proper care, obese children can have that chance.
