JAMA PATIENT PAGE | Weight Management
Childhood Obesity In 2012, about one-third of children in the United States were overweight, and more than half of those children were obese. Causes of Obesity In most cases, obesity is the result of an energy imbalance. Energy is measured as calories. Food provides the calories the body uses during normal functioning, everyday activities, and exercise. When a person consumes more calories than that person’s body uses, those extra calories are stored as fat. Some health conditions can cause weight gain. These problems are uncommon and account for less than 1% of cases of childhood obesity. Certain medications, such as steroids and antidepressants, can also cause weight gain.
Ways to prevent childhood obesity
Eat nutritious foods
Increase physical activity
Health Risks Health problems associated with childhood obesity include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, joint pain, asthma, sleep apnea, and fatty liver disease. Obesity affects not just physical health but mental health as well. Children who are obese are more likely to have low self-esteem and a negative body image. Children who are obese are also more likely to be obese as adults. More than three-fourths of obese teenagers will be obese as adults. So childhood obesity places kids at risk of serious long-term health issues. Obesity during adulthood is associated with health problems like heart disease, stroke, some types of cancer, and arthritis.
What You Can Do Parents and caregivers can help children have a healthy diet and be physically active. • Help foster good eating habits. Have fresh fruits and vegetables at home for snacks. Instead of full-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese, buy lowfat or nonfat dairy products. Offer kids water or low-fat milk to drink instead of soda or juice. Limit foods like potato chips, cookies, and ice cream, which can be high in calories from fat or sugar. Involve children in planning and preparing meals, and sit down to eat together. • Encourage physical activity. Playing outside is a good way for your child to be active. Visit a nearby park or go for a brisk walk with your child several times per week. Look for opportunities for your child to participate in team sports. Indoor activities include dancing, using an exercise video or DVD, jumping rope, and climbing stairs. • Reduce screen time. Children spend an average of 7 hours a day watching TV and movies, playing video games, and surfing the Internet. Watching TV can reduce physical activity, lead to increased snacking, and expose children to advertisements for Author: Amy E. Thompson, MD Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Heart Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
850
Limit screen time
unhealthy foods. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 2 hours of screen time per day. Trying to change too many things at once can be overwhelming and frustrating. Commit to making 1 or 2 small changes at a time. Once the new, healthy habits are part of your child’s routine, take another step toward a healthier lifestyle. Provide a supportive environment for your child. Celebrate successes together and discuss any setbacks that occur. Continue to encourage your child’s efforts. Talk to your child’s pediatrician if you are concerned about your child’s weight.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
National Institutes of Health www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/wecan To find this and previous JAMA Patient Pages, go to the Patient Page link on JAMA’s website at www.jama.com. Many are available in English and Spanish.
The JAMA Patient Page is a public service of JAMA. The information and recommendations appearing on this page are appropriate in most instances, but they are not a substitute for medical diagnosis. For specific information concerning your personal medical condition, JAMA suggests that you consult your physician. This page may be photocopied noncommercially by physicians and other health care professionals to share with patients. To purchase bulk reprints, call 312/464-0776.
JAMA August 25, 2015 Volume 314, Number 8 (Reprinted)
Copyright 2015 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Downloaded From: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/ by a CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY User on 08/31/2015
jama.com
Childhood Obesity In 2012, about one-third of children in the United States were overweight, and more than half of those children were obese. Causes of Obesity In most cases, obesity is the result of an energy imbalance. Energy is measured as calories. Food provides the calories the body uses during normal functioning, everyday activities, and exercise. When a person consumes more calories than that person’s body uses, those extra calories are stored as fat. Some health conditions can cause weight gain. These problems are uncommon and account for less than 1% of cases of childhood obesity. Certain medications, such as steroids and antidepressants, can also cause weight gain.
Ways to prevent childhood obesity
Eat nutritious foods
Increase physical activity
Health Risks Health problems associated with childhood obesity include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, joint pain, asthma, sleep apnea, and fatty liver disease. Obesity affects not just physical health but mental health as well. Children who are obese are more likely to have low self-esteem and a negative body image. Children who are obese are also more likely to be obese as adults. More than three-fourths of obese teenagers will be obese as adults. So childhood obesity places kids at risk of serious long-term health issues. Obesity during adulthood is associated with health problems like heart disease, stroke, some types of cancer, and arthritis.
What You Can Do Parents and caregivers can help children have a healthy diet and be physically active. • Help foster good eating habits. Have fresh fruits and vegetables at home for snacks. Instead of full-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese, buy lowfat or nonfat dairy products. Offer kids water or low-fat milk to drink instead of soda or juice. Limit foods like potato chips, cookies, and ice cream, which can be high in calories from fat or sugar. Involve children in planning and preparing meals, and sit down to eat together. • Encourage physical activity. Playing outside is a good way for your child to be active. Visit a nearby park or go for a brisk walk with your child several times per week. Look for opportunities for your child to participate in team sports. Indoor activities include dancing, using an exercise video or DVD, jumping rope, and climbing stairs. • Reduce screen time. Children spend an average of 7 hours a day watching TV and movies, playing video games, and surfing the Internet. Watching TV can reduce physical activity, lead to increased snacking, and expose children to advertisements for Author: Amy E. Thompson, MD Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Heart Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
850
Limit screen time
unhealthy foods. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 2 hours of screen time per day. Trying to change too many things at once can be overwhelming and frustrating. Commit to making 1 or 2 small changes at a time. Once the new, healthy habits are part of your child’s routine, take another step toward a healthier lifestyle. Provide a supportive environment for your child. Celebrate successes together and discuss any setbacks that occur. Continue to encourage your child’s efforts. Talk to your child’s pediatrician if you are concerned about your child’s weight.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
National Institutes of Health www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/wecan To find this and previous JAMA Patient Pages, go to the Patient Page link on JAMA’s website at www.jama.com. Many are available in English and Spanish.
The JAMA Patient Page is a public service of JAMA. The information and recommendations appearing on this page are appropriate in most instances, but they are not a substitute for medical diagnosis. For specific information concerning your personal medical condition, JAMA suggests that you consult your physician. This page may be photocopied noncommercially by physicians and other health care professionals to share with patients. To purchase bulk reprints, call 312/464-0776.
JAMA August 25, 2015 Volume 314, Number 8 (Reprinted)
Copyright 2015 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Downloaded From: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/ by a CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY User on 08/31/2015
jama.com
