Childhood Obesity - Criteria - Causes - Complications, Treatment
Childhood obesity is one of the most serious health challenges in the developing countries and needs to be understood and tackled effectively.
Childhood obesity is one of the most serious health challenges in the developing countries and needs to be understood and tackled effectively.
‘Implementation of programs and policies which encourage healthy eating and promote healthy weight in children can lower the risk of childhood obesity.’
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Trends in obesity prevalenceLatest stats show continued increase in obesity rates
While obesity has been on the rise for decades in the US, the proportion of Americans who are obese appeared to have reached a plateau more recently. A new analysis suggests that this leveling off was temporary, lasting from 2009-2012, and indicates that obesity rates have since continued to climb in both children and adults. If current trends continue, researchers project that by 2030, one-third of America's children age 6-11 and half of the adolescents' age 12-19 will be overweight or obese, said Youfa Wang, Ball State University.
New insights on risk factors
Mantra to Prevent Childhood Obesity � Vigorous Physical Activity
Being physically very active is the mantra to prevent pediatric obesity rather than concentrating efforts at restricting energy consumption.
Being physically very active is the mantra to prevent pediatric obesity rather than concentrating efforts at restricting energy consumption.
A study that tracked more than 700 kids from the toddler to teen years finds intake of sugar-sweetened beverages was associated with a significantly higher body mass index (BMI) throughout childhood, while intake of milk, 100% juice, and water-based sugar-free beverages was not associated with any difference in BMI. As one of the first longitudinal studies to examine children's beverage consumption over time, the study bolsters the evidence that sugar-sweetened beverages are an important risk factor for obesity, said Teresa A. Marshall, College of Dentistry, University of Iowa.
Promoting healthy weight
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Guidelines For Physicians on Prevention, Treatment of Childhood Obesity
The guideline provides recommendations on how to evaluate affected children for medical or psychological complications and the need for genetic testing.
The guideline provides recommendations on how to evaluate affected children for medical or psychological complications and the need for genetic testing.
Many programs and policies have been implemented to curb overweight and obesity rates in children and teens. New research takes a broad look at the outcomes of such programs to understand which factors seem to be associated with the greatest success. Examples of impactful interventions include the use of scratch cooking for preparing school meals, not using physical activity for discipline at school and promoting drinking water at school, said Lorrene D. Ritchie, Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California.
Eating breakfast can help kids meet dietary recommendations
Kids in America eat a wide variety of morning foods, from cereal and milk to pancakes and pastries to eggs and fruit. In a new study funded by the Kellogg Company, kids who ate breakfast generally showed higher daily consumption of recommended nutrients including fiber, calcium, vitamin D and potassium, as well as greater whole grain and lowered added sugar intake compared to those who did not eat in the morning. In particular, consuming grain-based foods with milk for breakfast was linked with several health benefits, said Yanni Papanikolaou, Nutritional Strategies.
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Milk and Dairy Products Do Not Increase Childhood Obesity
Consuming milk and dairy products such as yogurt and cheese do not promote childhood obesity. Milk and dairy products are nutrient-rich foods which provide many essential nutrients throughout life.
Consuming milk and dairy products such as yogurt and cheese do not promote childhood obesity. Milk and dairy products are nutrient-rich foods which provide many essential nutrients throughout life.
