Health Consequences of Childhood Obesity—What Can Be Done?

Health Consequences of

Childhood Obesity—What Can Be Done?

Patricia White

ENG 122

Prof. Michael O’Donnell

March 14, 2011

Health Consequences of

Childhood Obesity—What Can Be Done?

Numerous studies have been conducted and papers have been published on obesity in particular childhood obesity leading to adult obesity along with many of the adult diseases that result from childhood obesity. The studies have shown how childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions; worldwide, approximately 22 million children under five years of age are overweight (Rocchini, 2002).

From the literature that will be reviewed it will show that childhood obesity is a serious disease. It is a concern of medical studies and childhood obesity can do far more harm than detracting from one’s appearance. Childhood obesity can put a child at risk for a host of health diseases in particular diabetes and this can afflict a child later in life.

The scope of the problem of childhood obesity (Huettig, C.I., Sanborn, C.F., DiMarco, N., Popejoy, A., & Rich, S., 2004) will be discussed and how childhood obesity increases the chances that children will suffer health risks commonly seen in obese adults such as, joint problems, respiratory ailments, and diabetes, as well as killers such as heart disease and colon cancer that can afflict one later in life.

What is the method used for defining childhood overweight and obesity? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP),

Body mass index (BMI) is a practical measure used to determine overweight and obesity. BMI is a measure of weight in relation to height that is used to determine weight

status. . . . BMI is the most widely accepted method used to screen for overweight and obesity in children and adolescents because it is relatively easy to obtain the height and weight measurements needed to calculate BMI, measurements are non-invasive and BMI correlates with body fatness (“Defining Childhood...