There has been a sudden rise in childhood obesity in the US. According to the National health and Nutrition Examination Survey held in 2007-2008, it is estimated that 17% of American children and adolescents belonging to the age group of 2-19 are obese. Within the pre-school age children who are aged between 2-5 years, a rise in the obesity from 5% in a period of 1976 -1980 to 10.4% in 2007-2008 was observed.
In the age group of 6-11 year olds, an increase in obesity was seen from 6.5% to 19.6%. Among the adolescents in the age group of 12-19, the obesity levelsincreased from a mere 5% to a staggering 18.1% in the same time period. The condition of childhood obesity is linked to various health conditions like Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease when compared to their peers who have normal weight.
According to a report “F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America’s Future 2010″, which was released on June 30 by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Trust for America’s Health, it is reported that currently more than 12 million children and adolescents are obese. In comparison, about 25% of adults are obese in 38 states.
Also, there is a tendency for obese children and adolescents to become more obese after they mature into adults. According to one study, 80% of children who are overweight at 10-15 years age tend to become obese by the age of 25. Also, as per the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, childhood obesity is defined as a BMI level that is at par or above the 95th percentile for kids in the age group of 2-19.
