A weighty issue

Obese kids: The “epidemic” is causing a host of weight-associated disorders

By LESLEY CHRISTIANSON
Staff Writer

Child•hood obe’si•ty (child’hood’ o bes i te)
<< Children are obese if they are in the 95th percentile or higher for their weight.

<< Children are considered overweight and at risk of becoming obese if they are in the 85th percentile for their weight.

Fewer than 20 years ago, type II diabetes was found only in adults over 40. Today, children are developing the disease at increasing rates. The cause: the “epidemic” of childhood obesity.

Diabetes isn’t the only weight-associated disorder children who are overweight or obese may develop. If weight continues to be a problem, children are at greater risk for heart and kidney diseases, certain types of cancer and sleep apnea. Doctors are even finding high blood pressure in children as young as 5.

Some studies claim more than 15 percent of American children 6 or older are obese, while others have the number at an alarming 40 percent. Kerry Ward, McLeod County health educator, said the studies vary because state and local agencies haven’t really had a formal tracking system for childhood obesity.

“It’s hard to find solid statistics,” she said. “But we (McLeod County) tend to follow the state trends.”

According to the University of Minnesota, those state trends put the number of obese children at anywhere between 13 percent and 22 percent, depending on the age group. These percentages have as much as tripled in the past 20 years, propelling the issue of childhood obesity to the forefront for many health care professionals.

“We can’t stop it,” Ward said. “We can only hope to decrease the increase. We have to look at the overall picture.”

Part of those efforts include the Meeker/McLeod/ Sibley Healthy Communities Group. Members encourage environmental changes in cities within participating counties, such as more sidewalks, open park spaces and access to local clinics and hospital extensions.

“Changing our environment will change our behavior,” Ward said.

Some members of the group also serve on school district wellness committees within their counties. Ward serves on the Glencoe-Silver Lake wellness committee and helps school administration develop healthy activities and eating options for students and staff.

“I was more of a resource person,” she said. “I would point them in the right direction and answer any questions they had.”

While the cause of childhood obesity can vary from child to child, most studies show that three main influences are usually the most important factor. The Minnesota Department of Health states childhood obesity is generally caused by lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating habits or both. If the parents are obese, the chances their children will become obese are greatly increased as well.

“I think we’re more techy, so there’s more screen time,” Ward added. “American children sit in front of a screen 44.8 hours — a TV, phone, computer — a week. That’s a full-time job for us.”

She said limiting the time a child is allowed to watch television or play on the computer is a good first step in controlling his or her weight. She also said it’s important to get them outside.

“They’re getting pulled away from outside activities,” she said.

Poor eating habits show up in several studies on childhood obesity. The Minnesota Task Force on Childhood Obesity found that 55 percent of children in sixth through ninth grade consume three or more glasses of sugar-filled beverages every day. It also discovered that fewer than 20 percent of the same children eat the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables. Combined with the finding that fewer than half of all children get 60 minutes of daily activity, it’s a recipe for obesity.

Tips from experts
Minnesota Task Force on Childhood Obesity offers these recommendations for parents who are concerned about their children’s weight:
<< limit availability of sweetened beverages in the home (including most juices)
<< encourage eating daily, healthy breakfasts
<< eat meals together as a family
<< serve as role models for healthy eating
<< offer reasonable portion sizes
<< eat more fresh fruits and veggies
<< breast-feeding can help reduce the risk of children developing weight issues
<< limit television/computer/video game time
<< do physical activities together as a family
<< ensure children are active at least one hour each day

On the Web
Health care professionals recommend these Web sites:
<< www.brightfutures.org
<< www.mypyramid.gov/kids
<< www.presidentschallenge.org

Health care professionals are experiencing is a lack of parental willingness to accept referrals to their physician or enroll their children in programs to help them lose weight. Ward said to “decrease the increase” in childhood obesity, it will take families, schools and communities working together.

“It’s got to be a collaborative effort,” she said. “We have to be very creative and think outside the box on this.”