children obesity

22 /09/2010

1. When people have too much body fat they are overweight or obese.
2. Causes of obesity in children include unhealthy food choices, lack of physical activity and family eating habits.
3. Obesity is a worldwide problem. In many counties, levels of childhood obesity are increasing at alarming rates such as USA, UK and Ausralia. Satistics show in Australia fom 1985 to 1995 the number of overweight 7–15 year olds almost doubled. The numbers of obese children has more than tripled.Now one in five children and adolescents are overweight or obese. It is predicted that 65 per cent of young Australians will be overweight or obese by 2020.
4. The overall cost of food has gone down.
   More food is prepared away from home.
   Energy-dense foods and drinks are more readily available.
   Portion sizes have increased.
   Marketing of energy-dense foods and drinks has increased.
   The use of cars has increased.
   The number of two-income families has increased.
   The time spent in paid employment has increased.
   The role of physical education in the school curriculum has reduced
5. Yes.
6. Type 2 diabetes – while this condition is most commonly seen in adults, it is now also being diagnosed in children
   Eating disorders such as bulimia or binge eating
   Orthopaedic disorders – problems with foot structure
   Liver problems, including fatty liver
   Respiratory disorders, such as blocked airways and restrictions in the chest wall, which cause breathlessness during exercise
   Sleep apnoea – this is a condition that causes difficulty breathing when sleeping. It also causes snoring, waking often and poor sleep. It makes people feel tired and contributes to poor concentration during the day
   Cardiomyopathy – a problem with the heart muscle, caused when extra effort is needed to pump blood.
7. Obesity in childhood leads to obesity in adulthoodOverweight or obese children are more likely to remain obese as adolescents and become overweight or obese adults. About 80 per cent of obese adolescents will become obese adults.Social problems for obese children and adolescents Obesity can have a major impact on how children feel about themselves and how they interact with others. Obese adolescents are more likely to have low self-esteem, which may impact on other aspects of their lives such as the development of friendships and competency at school.
8. An Accredited Practising Dietitian, contact the Dietitians Association of Australia . Go to see your doctor. Go for your life infoline service.