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Cost of Obesity Management
According to the CDC, direct and indirect medical costs to treat obesity-related problems were estimated at approximately $117 billion in 2000. It is estimated that just over 9 percent of the annual medical spending in the U.S. is a result of treating overweight- and obesity-related problems.9
Causes
Overall, the obesity problem is due to taking in more calories and burning fewer due to decreased physical activity over time.10 Children who are obese have a greater chance of becoming obese adults, especially if their parents are obese.10,11
The causes of childhood obesity are multifactorial. Risk factors that contribute to childhood obesity include but are not limited to diet, inactivity, psychological issues, socioeconomic factors (low-income families may lack the resources to make wise food choices and may not live near stores that sell healthy food) and possibly genetics if obesity runs in the family.12
Although obesity may have a familial component like genetics, hormones also may play a role.13 Extra caloric intake coupled with high-sugar, high-fat foods and insufficient physical activity contribute significantly to this growing epidemic.
When children are faced with psychological problems, they may tend to overeat as a coping mechanism. Regular consumption of foods high in calories like soft drinks, candy and baked goods can contribute to weight gain. Additionally, portion sizes have increased among fast food and other restaurants.10,12,14
In reviewing the eating behaviors of children and adolescents, it was noted that less than half of the children and adolescent population in the U.S. meet the dietary guidelines for saturated fat.
In 2007, less than one-fourth of all high school students admitted they ate fruits and vegetables more than 5 or more times daily within a 1-week period. Barely more than one-third of children ages 2-17 years meet the USDA's dietary recommendation for fiber.
Overall, this data shows children's diets fall short of federal dietary recommendations to support adequate growth and development.
Inactivity, such as watching TV, burns fewer calories. Studies have shown children in the U.S. and other developed countries spend a substantial amount of time watching TV and using other types of media.
One study showed almost two-thirds of children ages 4-11 in the U.S. spend more than 2 hours each day, regarded as "high screen time," watching TV, sitting at a computer or playing computer games. The same study showed high screen time also applied to children ages 4-5.
Studies show screen time and increase in body weight are related, as children are exposed to more food-related advertisement and tend to eat more while watching TV. A high-calorie diet coupled with a sedentary lifestyle is a recipe for obesity.15
Lifestyle Changes
It is beyond the scope of this article to expand on the comorbidities resulting from overweight or obesity. The focus is on prevention and managing of this epidemic, which is a growing threat to the health of the nation. Prevention remains the cornerstone in managing this problem.
Children may be perceived as naturally active, but as society changes and more sedentary lifestyles are encouraged - for example, more TV watching and video game playing - children reduce their physical activity. This is reflected in weight gain.
Other contributing factors include today's busier lifestyle and increased commuting times, which may translate to parents not having the time to spend supervising or participating in recreational activities with their children. Additional factors that contribute to a sedentary lifestyle may include but are not limited to apartment life, neighborhood crimes and finances.
Nurses play a key role in verbally motivating children to exercise safely and prevent injury. Involve and educate parents or caregivers who may serve as role models to get buy-in and their input on planning fun exercises.
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