Obesity in US children much worse than feared
Source: Agencies |
March 20, 2010, Saturday
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EXTREME obesity among American children is much worse than previously believed, putting them at greater risk of serious health problems as they age, United States researchers said on Thursday.
A study of more than 700,000 children and teenagers in southern California found that more than 6 percent, or 45,000, were extremely obese and more boys than girls were far too heavy, the researchers reported in the Journal of Pediatrics.
"This study is unique because it is the first time that we've had a large up-to-date snapshot of what's happening with obesity in our children," co-author Dr Amy Porter said.
"The prevalence of obesity in children is much higher than we ever thought it was," she said.
The study also showed that extreme obesity was rising in almost every group in the US.
It found that 7 percent of boys and 5 percent of girls were extremely obese, as were more than 2 percent of all children under 5 years old.
Co-author Corinna Koebnick, a fellow researcher with healthcare company Kaiser Permanente, said the results of the broad multiethnic study, with estimates for racial subgroups by age and sex, probably applied across the country.
"Children who are extremely obese may continue to be extremely obese as adults, and all the health problems associated with obesity are in these children's futures," Koebnick said.
"Without major lifestyle changes, these kids face a 10 to 20 years shorter life span and will develop health problems in their 20s that we typically see in 40-to-60-year-olds," she said.
First lady Michelle Obama is leading an administration effort to fight childhood obesity focused on improving nutrition in homes and in schools.
Two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese and a third of children are obese, increasing the risk of heart disease, diabetes and other chronic illnesses, and adding about US$150 billion a year to health care costs in the US.
A study of more than 700,000 children and teenagers in southern California found that more than 6 percent, or 45,000, were extremely obese and more boys than girls were far too heavy, the researchers reported in the Journal of Pediatrics.
"This study is unique because it is the first time that we've had a large up-to-date snapshot of what's happening with obesity in our children," co-author Dr Amy Porter said.
"The prevalence of obesity in children is much higher than we ever thought it was," she said.
The study also showed that extreme obesity was rising in almost every group in the US.
It found that 7 percent of boys and 5 percent of girls were extremely obese, as were more than 2 percent of all children under 5 years old.
Co-author Corinna Koebnick, a fellow researcher with healthcare company Kaiser Permanente, said the results of the broad multiethnic study, with estimates for racial subgroups by age and sex, probably applied across the country.
"Children who are extremely obese may continue to be extremely obese as adults, and all the health problems associated with obesity are in these children's futures," Koebnick said.
"Without major lifestyle changes, these kids face a 10 to 20 years shorter life span and will develop health problems in their 20s that we typically see in 40-to-60-year-olds," she said.
First lady Michelle Obama is leading an administration effort to fight childhood obesity focused on improving nutrition in homes and in schools.
Two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese and a third of children are obese, increasing the risk of heart disease, diabetes and other chronic illnesses, and adding about US$150 billion a year to health care costs in the US.
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