Problem:
People across the United States are becoming obese at younger ages which is leading to more deaths due to cardiovascular disease. It is very unfortunate because the rate at which adolescents are being categorized as “obese” is progressively getting younger as years go on. Healthy lifestyle choices need to be implemented during childhood so there is a better chance of adequate health knowledge before it’s too late.
Stats:
According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between the years of 2013-2014 about 1 in 6 children and adolescents ages 2 to 19 were considered to have obesity. This means that in a typical school class of 30 kids, at least 5 of them are classified as obese if not extremely obese. The fast food chain has only increased dramatically, so it’s safe to say that the obesity rates have done the same since this data was taken in 2014. It was said that parents and caregivers have the biggest impact on helping children in reducing weight by providing a healthy diet and making children be physically active. If parents choose to go through a drive through rather than make a home cooked meal, the chances of more children becoming obese is multiplied exponentially.
Who It Affects:
- About 17.2% of children between the ages of 2-19
- About 25.8% of Hispanic boys and 24.1% of Hispanic girls
- The rate among adolescent obesity is highest in Hispanics between 6-11 years old
Obesity can be consequential in a number of ways, one of which being type 2 diabetes. Almost 90% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or affected with some form of obesity. A lack of exercise, on top of being over weight create a deadly combination for insulin resistance which creates the development of type 2 diabetes.
What is even more consequential is the correlation of obesity and cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is the number one leading cause of death in both men and women within the United States. According to the CDC, one person dies every 37 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease, which totals to nearly 647,000 American deaths each year. That’s 1 in 4 people. Think about how your family, friends, or spouse would feel if you unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack tomorrow because you were extremely obese and had the power to change it all along.
A study conducted at the John Hopkins University of Medicine said that one of the national health objectives for 2020 is to reduce the prevalence of obesity. Unfortunately, current data is showing no improvements so far. This is extremely important for people to realize because if change can’t start now, when is it ever going to start?
Goals:
To help reduce the number of obesity cases within the United States here are some simple goals:
- Know the consequences of obesity and how rapidly it can effect yours or your loved ones life.
- Be aware of triggering behaviors that can lead you to potentially developing obesity.
- Support others as well as yourself when making choices to benefit your health.
Resources:
Some great obesity prevention resources are listed here:
- Healthy Kids Healthy Future: An organization developed in partnership with the CDC which provides numerous goals and strategies to help prevent childhood obesity. The website also contains childhood practices as well as different online lessons which cover all different topics regarding preventing obesity.
- Obesity Action Community: A community organization which provides educational resources, public resources, advocacy resources and even the option for people to find a qualified provider. This organization has all of the information needed in order for people to jump start their plan in combating obesity.
- National Institute for Children’s Health Quality: A non-profit organization that strives to improve complex issues regarding children’s health. The group’s mission is to achieve optimal health for all children and to prepare kids with health knowledge before it’s too late.
Healthy Choices 