According to national health experts, approximately 15% of American children aged 6 to 19 are overweight leading to consequences like poor health, depression and deterioration in quality of life. Rates of childhood obesity in Canada have tripled in the last 25-30 years. According to research, some of the health problems that occur as a direct result of obesity in children include Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, orthopedic difficulties, and emotional disorders. Another important effect is the psychological damage caused, since most obese children are subjected to discrimination and often treated insensitively. Children and adolescents are at great risk for obesity, if one or both their parents are overweight, if they are from families with low incomes and if their mobility is restricted by some chronic disease or physical disability.

Following, are some fitness and nutrition facts relating to childhood obesity:

• Obesity affects both children and adults in the same way. Children who are overweight also run a great risk of developing High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, low self esteem, depression and respiratory diseases like asthma and sleep apnea. Moreover, conditions once thought to be specific to adults are now being diagnosed in children as well. These include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and gall bladder problems.
• Children who do not participate in physical activities are likely to grow up as inactive adults. Also, physical activity is influenced by family patterns. Girls with active mothers will grow up to be engaging in physical activities, and boys involved in team sports also grow up to be health conscious men.
• In developed countries, lower income and education levels lead to lower physical exercise levels.
• Food proportions shown in advertisements on television are more than three times larger than the proportions required to provide adequate energy.
• Adolescent obesity increases adult mortality.
• American food and beverage companies spend more than $1.6 million, selling their products to children. The amount spent to market soft drinks is almost 43 times more than the amount spent to market health food like fruits and vegetables. In fact, childhood obesity has been linked to the over-consumption of soft drinks and soda.
• Families who eat their meals together are more likely to make healthier food choices.
• Although depression is often considered to be the cause of over-eating and thus obesity, research has contradicted this notion. Apparently, depression is an effect of obesity, and not a cause.
• Obesity in children has also been attributed to inadequate sleep. In fact, even an extra hour of sleep every night can reduce the risk of childhood obesity by 30%
• When time spent in front of the television and/or computer exceeds 4 hours, children are likely to be overweight.

Effective ways of treating obesity in children involve setting goals that are realistic and achievable. This may include reduction of TV-watching time, or going for a walk everyday. In addition, by keeping only health foods at home, the child may be prevented from consuming junk food. Most importantly, the child must be encouraged to engage in physical activities everyday.

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