CHILDHOOD OBESITY

Childhood Obesity

Issue of Childhood Obesity

Introduction

Overeating to the point of obesity is an increasing problem among children across the United States. Between 1976 and 1980, the prevalence of obesity in children was estimated to be around 17%, whereas in 1995 the rate was about 22%. The recent increase in childhood obesity is not due to increased caloric intake; rather, the cause is an increase in sedentary lifestyles. Current research indicates that increased television viewing, as well as time spent on computers and computer games, contributes to childhood obesity. (Bendich, 2005)

Scope of the Problem

Since the last 30 years, childhood obesity has significantly risen across the United States. There has been a tremendous growth in children suffering obesity in the United States, which has forced the policy makers to think over the problem of obesity among children, and take it as a serious threat to the public health. Childhood obesity has grown dramatically, greater than 300% among children who fall in the age category of 6 to 11. (Smith, 1999) Furthermore, it has also risen for children belonging to other age brackets during the same time. According to a report provided by The Institute of Medicine (IOM), in 2006, about 9 million children throughout the United States, beyond 6 years of age were considered overweight. A significant result and issue of childhood obesity is the growing and elevating number of children suffering from health diseases, illnesses, and other health issues related with obesity, for instance hypertension and type II diabetes. Increase in issues and illnesses related to obesity, and unfavorable health conditions also lead to additional economic costs. During the period of 1979 and 1999, costs incurred on hospitals related to obesity among children between 6 to 17 years of age, increased by more than 300% from $35 million to $127 million. Furthermore, examinations indicate that children suffering from obesity have a greater chance of becoming overweight or plump adults—especially, if children are suffering from obesity during adolescence—the ever growing number of childhood obesity may also be a factor in increased health care expenditures when they reach adulthood. Expenditures related to obesity are projected to have accounted for over 25% of the increase in health care costs during the period of 1987 and 2001. An estimated amount of $117 billion was spent on expenditures related to ill health, because of obesity. Direct costs are estimated to be approximately $61 billion. It has ...