Released July 18, 2008
STILLWATER, Okla. – The number of overweight children in the United States has taken a dramatic rise in recent years.
The National Center for Health Statistics reports more than 14 percent of children and 11 percent of adolescents are overweight. An additional 14 percent are at risk of becoming overweight, said Janice Hermann, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension nutrition education specialist.
“Being an overweight or obese adult increases the risks of disease conditions including high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer,” Hermann said. “Because being overweight in childhood increases the risk of being overweight in adulthood, overweight children may be at greater risk of developing these health conditions later in life.”
There are many factors that contribute to being overweight. Some of these factors can be modified while others cannot.
Nonmodifiable factors are genetics or family history, age and gender. Factors that can be modified include diet and exercise.
Children need enough food for proper growth, but too many calories coupled with too little physical activity leads to being overweight. Many schools have cut physical education because of funding. Other children spend sedentary hours watching television or playing computer and video games.
“Since children need to grow, weight loss is not recommended unless guided by a health care provider,” she said. “However, growth at proper rates and in a healthy manner is vital to good health.”
To help ensure a child leads a healthy lifestyle, start by helping the child develop healthy eating habits. Help the child make sensible food choices. A healthy diet will include lean meat, poultry, fish, beans and nuts.
Hermann said changes in a child’s diet do not need to be dramatic. Start by serving low-fat milk rather than whole, and offer one cookie instead of two.
Children can improve their health and have fun at the same time by including moderate amounts of physical activity each day. Parents can set a good example by joining their child in physical activities.
“Encourage your child to be physically active both at home and at school. If the school doesn’t offer a physical education program, suggest your child play active games during recess,” she said. “Helping a child start out living a healthy lifestyle is one of the greatest gifts a parent can give.”
-30-
Contact: Trisha Gedon, 405-744-3625, trisha.gedon@okstate.edu
