Childhood obesity in America has become a national epidemic. For 2019-2020, the children obesity rates in America were quite alarming. While an average of 16.2% of youths aged 10-17 years were obese, the figures were quite disparate by ethnicity and race. Most affected children were the Non-Hispanic black youths in the age group, constituting 23.8% of the obese children population. Next were the Hispanic youths, constituting 21.4% of the obese children. The least obese were non-Hispanic white youths (12.1%). The figure was triple that in the 1970s.
Causes of High Children Obesity Rates in America
The causes of obesity in children are biological, behavioral, social, and government policies.
Biological factors like genetics and metabolism are responsible for child obesity. Metabolism is how the body converts food into energy for its use. Physical activity, eating, and sleeping habits are behavioral factors of obesity. The social factors include the design and safety of the community and neighborhood and adverse events encountered during childhood. Food security and structural racism are among the government policies and practices responsible for turning children obese.
The Latest Reason is Obesity During the Pandemic.
A survey by the American Psychological Association (APA) to understand how Covid affected obesity rates showed that 42% of Americans had gained more weight than desired during the pandemic. The average extra weight gained during the pandemic was 30 lbs. The obesity rate among children aged 5-11 years has gone over 45% from 36% during the pandemic. It makes a perfect case to study Covid 19 and changes in child obesity. The extent of the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic on obesity is quite alarming because currently, 16 states have an obesity rate higher than 35%. Since lockdowns and extensive home quarantine led to a sedentary lifestyle and encouraged binge eating, it sharply increased the obesity rate.
Added to this was the increase in recreational screen time among children (12-13 years) in the US, which went up by 4 hours a day. Coupled with the lack of physical activities and social mixing, it became a potent mixture to push up the obesity rate.
Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity is a global problem and has become an epidemic in America. Those who raise the question of are childhood obesity rates increasing should know that over the past three decades, the childhood obesity rate has doubled and trebled for adolescents. Together with adolescent obesity, it is affecting millions of lives.
Obesity is a Public Health Concern.
Obesity can harm children’s health in many ways, including their cardiovascular and psychological health. In the end, it adversely affects their physical health. The continuously rising graph of child obesity accelerated by the Covid19 pandemic and its association with other conditions has made it a public health concern.
The most concerning aspect of children obesity rates in America is that it would create generations of adults who could suffer from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other health problems. The risks of cancer and premature deaths would go up too.
