In the United States, we take pride in being first. Unfortunately, one area where we rank No. 1 isobesity.
Yes, the U.S. tops the category for both adult and child obesity. The statistics are alarming. In the last 35 years, rates of obesity have increased 2 to 4 times in all age groups. During that same period, the number of states for which more than 25 percent of their population is overweight increased from zero to 32.
Despite federal programs aimed at combating the issue and all the media attention it's garnered, the obesity epidemic continues to grow. But why?
Mainly it comes down to poor diet and lack of exercise. Since 1970, the number of fast-food restaurants has doubled in the U.S. An estimated 40 percent of the calories children consume fall into the empty category– having minimal to no nutritional value, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Americans young and old consume salt and fat calories at levels unsurpassed in the rest of the world.
In addition, only 1 out of 3 children are physically active every day. Children engage in physical play less than ever before. They spend approximately 7.5 hours per day in front of a screen. Teenagers spend about 3 hours per school day playing video or computer games. The result? Overweight children, most of whom will fight weight problems into adulthood.
The problem is compounded in certain populations of children. Of those kids living in poverty, nearly half are overweight. Obesity rates are more than 3 times higher in children with disabilities. These kids likely have less opportunity to engage in activity leaving them vulnerable to weight gain. And children who are overweight are 65 percent more likely to be the target of bullying.
The health implications of the obesity epidemic are far reaching.
Annual health care expenditures on obesity-related illnesses and conditions amount to around $190 billion. The chronic illnesses that may be directly linked to being overweight include heart disease,hypertension, cancer, diabetes and asthma, just to name a few.
There are other societal costs as well. These include homeland security risks, since 27 percent of young adults are considered too overweight to serve in the military.
But the most sobering forecast? If obesity rates continue to rise, one-third of children born in the 2000s may not outlive their parents. Young lives, young talent, great potential could be prematurely lost.
However, there are inroads being made. More efforts and resources are being devoted every year to promoting exercise and healthy lifestyle. Recommendations for an hour a day of exercise in children have been endorsed by federal agencies and pediatric health leaders such as the American Academy of Pediatrics.
In addition, many high profile people and groups have taken up the cause and used their influence to encourage children to get active. Notably, the NFL Play 60 program encourages kids to be active for 60 minutes daily to combat obesity. Many other grassroots campaigns are springing up across the country in an attempt to meet the national policy goal of 5 percent obesity in children by 2030.
But not every effort needs to be a national campaign endorsed by societal icons. The beauty of children is that they are frequently exercising without even realizing it. They call it play. Spontaneous physical games such as hide and seek, tag and kickball can be great sources of aerobic exercise.Swimming, dancing, jumping rope and just running around the yard are known bone-strengthening activities.
More organized activities, such as yoga, tennis and basketball, can take a bit more planning, but provided additional opportunities for exercise, with support from adults activity leaders and peers, and minimal risk of injury.
Exercise benefits children in ways that go well beyond weight management, too. Studies have shown that children who engage in the recommended 60 minutes per day of exercise have less stress, increased self-esteem and confidence and decreased incidence of depression. Through routine exercise, coordination is improved, leading to better physical skills overall.
Play and team sports lead to overall improvement in interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution. School engagement is enhanced by increased memory and attention that can be, in part, cultivated by activity. Lastly, kids who engage in physical play for at least an hour a day sleep better at night – a key priority for anyone who cares for kids.
As caregivers to children, we can be extremely influential in their choice to play or not to play. We can encourage them and support them to learn life sports that they can do into advanced age, such as swimming or yoga.
We can be supportive, realizing if they are concerned about their weight, there may be more attention paid to it than we know by their peers. We can focus on being healthy, not on losing pounds so we do not distort body image perception that can persist for life.
And, since less than 5 percent of adults do 30 minutes of activity a day, we can commit to doing it together. Children learn what they live. So get up. Put on your dancing shoes. Play a little. It will be good for all of us.