The term “obesity” is rarely applied to America’s youth; it’s typically reserved for adults with severe weight issues. However, two critical questions arise: How many children in America are overweight? And how many are at risk of becoming obese as adults?
The answers are alarming. While it’s easy to overlook the broader obesity epidemic in the United States, the impact of today’s culture and environment on children reveals an urgent situation. The Surgeon General has issued a call to action on obesity, emphasizing its effects on children and adolescents. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, in 1999, 13% of children aged 6–11 and 14% of adolescents aged 12–19 were overweight. These children face heightened risks for many health complications seen in overweight and obese adults.
For instance, overweight children and teens are more likely to develop high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease, as well as type 2 diabetes—a condition once thought to affect only adults. The rise in childhood type 2 diabetes is likely linked to increasing rates of overweight and obesity among youth.
Long-Term Health Risks and Social Challenges
If America’s youth represent the future, what does that future hold? Will the obesity epidemic fade, or will it persist? Unfortunately, overweight youth are 70% more likely to become overweight or obese adults. This risk increases to 80% if at least one parent is overweight. These individuals will face health issues like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, glaucoma, colon, breast, uterine, and esophageal cancers, hypertension, arthritis, stroke, sleep apnea, respiratory problems, and more. In total, obesity is linked to 30 known medical conditions.
Beyond health risks, overweight children face immediate social challenges. Classmates can be cruel, and the stigma surrounding excess weight often leads to teasing and embarrassment, testing children’s self-esteem. Vulnerable youth may experience mild to severe depression, which can escalate to self-hatred or even self-harm.
How did so many children and adolescents reach this point? Are they mirroring overweight parents, eating junk food from school cafeterias, or spending too much time on Xbox or television instead of being active? The answer is all of the above.
Encouraging a Healthy Lifestyle
Weight gain occurs when more calories are consumed than burned. A combination of unhealthy, high-calorie diets and sedentary lifestyles sets children up for a lifelong struggle with weight. While genetics play a role, they are less significant if a child is physically active and eats healthily.
Children are increasingly drawn to indoor activities like video games, the internet, and television. The Department of Health and Human Services reports that 43% of adolescents watch over two hours of television daily. Parents can counter this by limiting screen time, encouraging activities like bike riding, which burns calories and is fun. As children, especially girls, naturally become less active with age, early habits of excessive screen time must be curbed.
Parents should model a healthy lifestyle and offer support, not criticism. Focusing on a child’s weight can worsen the situation. Instead, promote healthy eating and physical activity for the whole family—plan a basketball game or a park walk together.
A common mistake is overly restricting an overweight child’s diet, which can lead to unhappiness and rebellion. Gradually introduce healthy foods, and avoid using food as punishment or reward. Teach children that food is fuel, not a source of guilt or comfort.
Overweight children should not follow adult “weight loss” diets or use diet pills, which are unsuitable for growing youth. Instead, aim to maintain their current weight as they grow taller. If needed, consult a physician for guidance on weight management programs tailored for children.
To determine if a child is overweight, calculate their body mass index (BMI) as you would for an adult, then compare it to the BMI of other children of the same age and gender. This, along with a physician’s advice, can clarify whether a child’s weight is healthy or a concern.
