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A man named Jim Morelli helps motivate children to get in shape to avoid obesity and get healthy

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Obesity in everyday lives

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This video demonstrates for all health and care professionals their vital role in supporting children,

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The site gives obesity charts of both Youth and Adults.

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NHANES

National trends

The latest data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey show that the national obesity rate among youth ages 2 to 19 is 18.5%. The rate varies among different age groups, with rates rising along with age. While overall obesity rates remain higher than they were a generation ago, the rise in rates has slowed in recent years, following decades of sharp increases starting in the early 1970s.

Since the 1976-1980 NHANES survey, overall childhood obesity rates have more than tripled, up from 5.5%. Among 2- to 5-year-olds, the rate more than doubled, from 5% to 13.9%, as did the rate of 6- to 11-year-olds with obesity, from 6.5% to 18.4%. Among teens ages 12 to 19, the rate quadrupled, from 5% to 20.6%.

NHANES

differences by race and ethnicity

The most recent NHANES from 2015-2016 shows substantial differences in obesity rates among children of different races and ethnicities.

Obesity rates are higher among Latino children (25.8%) and Black children (22%) than among White children (14.1%) and Asian children (11.0%). Latino boys (28.0%) and Black girls (25.1%) are most likely to have obesity.

NHANES

Differences by Age and Sex

The prevalence of obesity and severe obesity increases with age. In 2015-2016, 13.9% of children ages 2 to 5, 18.4% of children ages 6 to 11 and 20.6% of children ages 12 to 19 had obesity. Nearly 2% of children ages 2 to 5, 5.2% of children ages 6 to 11 and 7.7% of children ages 12 to 19 had severe obesity.

Boys are slightly more likely to have obesity than girls. In 2015-2016, 19.1% of boys had obesity and 17.8% of girls ages 2 to 19 had obesity. Between 2013-2014 and 2015-2016, the obesity rate of boys went up 11%, while the percent of girls with obesity increased by 4%.

WIC Participants

obesity among children ages 2-4

Data from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) show a statistically significant decrease in obesity among 2- to 4-year-old children who were enrolled in the program-from 15.9% in 2010 to 14.5% in 2014.

These reductions were widespread, with significant decreases in 31 states and significant increases in only four states. On a state level, obesity rates ranged from a low of 8.2% in Utah to a high of 20.0% in Virginia in 2014.

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According to CDC analyses, revisions to the WIC food package, providing WIC recipients with more healthy food options, WIC's efforts to promote and support breastfeeding, and other prevention initiatives may have contributed to the decline in rates.
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, November 2016

WIC Participants

Differences by race and ethnicity

While the most recent study of young children enrolled in WIC shows widespread reductions in obesity rates among all major racial and ethnic groups, young WIC participants still have much higher obesity rates than the general population of children.

WIC data also show racial and ethnic disparities in rates. Among WIC participants ages 2 to 4, 18.0% of American Indian/Alaska Natives, 17.3% of Latinos, 12.2% of Whites, 11.9% of Blacks and 11.1% of Asian/ Pacific Islanders had obesity in 2014.

NSCH

Obesity rates Among children ages 10-17

In 2016-17, the National Survey of Children's Health reported that nationwide, 15.8% of children ages 10 to 17 had obesity.

The states with the highest rates of obesity for 10- to 17-year-olds were Mississippi (26.1%), West Virginia (20.3%), and Kentucky (19.3%). The states with the lowest rates of obesity were Utah (8.7%), New Hampshire (9.8%), and Washington (10.1%).

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YRBSS

High school obesity rates

According to data from the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, 14.8% of high school students (grades 9 to 12) nationwide had obesity and 15.6% were overweight. The obesity rate has increased significantly, up from 10.6% in 1999.

State by state obesity levels varied considerably-from 9.5% in Colorado to 21.7% in Arkansas. This the first time YRBSS identified states with high school obesity rates above 20%, including in Arkansas (21.7%), Kentucky (20.2%). and Tennessee (20.5%).

view the full interactive

YRBSS

inequities in rates

The latest YRBSS data show that high schoolers who were male (17.5%), Black (18.2%) Latino (18.2%), and lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) (20.5%) had particularly high levels of obesity in 2017. Male students who were Latino (22.2%) and male student who were LGB (21.9%) had the highest rates among these groups.

States with the highest level of obesity among high school students were all in the South: Arkansas (21.7%), Tennessee (20.5%), Kentucky (20.2%), West Virginia (19.5%), Texas (18.6%), South Carolina (17.2%), Oklahoma (17.1%), and Louisiana (17.0%). States with the lowest obesity rates were: Colorado (9.5%), Utah (9.6%), and Florida (10.9%).

Assessing ChilDhood Obesity

Because kids are still growing, obesity is measured differently among children than adults. Instead of a simple BMI measurement, a child's BMI is compared to others of the same age and sex. Children with BMIs at the 95th percentile or above are considered obese, and those with a BMI between the 85th and 95th percentiles are considered overweight.

Learn More

Fast Facts

31

Thirty-one states reported a significant drop in obesity among 2- to 4-year-old WIC participants from 2010 to 2014.

4x

Since 1980, obesity rates
among teens ages 12 to 19 quadrupled,
from 5% to 20.6%.

$14B

In the U.S., childhood obesity alone is estimated to cost $14 billion annually in direct health expenses.

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NHANES The latest data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey show that the national obesity rate among youth ages 2 to 19 is 18.5%. The rate varies among different age groups, with rates rising along with age.

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The article explains how to prevent children from obesity.

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Childhood Obesity is on the Rise

The number of overweight children in the United States has increased dramatically in recent years. Approximately 10 percent of 4 and 5 year old children are overweight, double that of 20 years ago. Overweight is more prevalent in girls than boys and in older preschoolers (ages 4-5) than younger (ages 2-3).

Obesity increases even more as children get older. For ages 6 to 11, at least one child in five is overweight. Over the last two decades, this number has increased by more than 50 percent and the number of obese children has nearly doubled.

For most children, overweight is the result of unhealthy eating patterns (too many calories) and too little physical activity. Since these habits are established in early childhood, efforts to prevent obesity should begin early.

Determining if a Child is Overweight

Parents should not make changes to a child's diet based solely on perceptions of overweight. All preschoolers exhibit their own individual body structure and growth pattern. Assessing obesity in children is difficult because children grow in unpredictable spurts. It should only be done by a health care professional, using the child's height and weight relative to his previous growth history.

Helping Overweight Children

Weight loss is not a good approach for most young children, since their bodies are growing and developing. Overweight children should not be put on a diet unless a physician supervises one for medical reasons. A restrictive diet may not supply the energy and nutrients needed for normal growth and development.

For most very young children, the focus should be to maintain current weight, while the child grows normally in height.

The most important strategies for preventing obesity are healthy eating behaviors, regular physical activity, and reduced sedentary activity (such as watching television and videotapes, and playing computer games). These preventative strategies are part of a healthy lifestyle that should be developed during early childhood. They can be accomplished by following the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The Dietary Guidelines provide general diet and lifestyle recommendations for healthy Americans ages 2 years and over (not for younger children and infants). The most recent edition of the Dietary Guidelines can be found on www.ChooseMyPlate.gov. Following these guidelines can help promote health and reduce risk for chronic diseases.

Promote a Healthy Lifestyle

Parents and caregivers can help prevent childhood obesity by providing healthy meals and snacks, daily physical activity, and nutrition education. Healthy meals and snacks provide nutrition for growing bodies while modeling healthy eating behavior and attitudes. Increased physical activity reduces health risks and helps weight management. Nutrition education helps young children develop an awareness of good nutrition and healthy eating habits for a lifetime.

Children can be encouraged to adopt healthy eating behaviors and be physically active when parents:

Focus on good health, not a certain weight goal. Teach and model healthy and positive attitudes toward food and physical activity without emphasizing body weight.

Focus on the family. Do not set overweight children apart. Involve the whole family and work to gradually change the family's physical activity and eating habits.

Establish daily meal and snack times, and eating together as frequently as possible. Make a wide variety of healthful foods available based on the Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children. Determine what food is offered and when, and let the child decide whether and how much to eat.

Plan sensible portions. Use the Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children as a guide.

What Counts as One Serving?

Grain Group

1 slice of bread

1/2 cup of cooked rice or pasta

1/2 cup of cooked cereal

1 ounce of ready-to-eat cereal

Vegetable Group

1/2 cup of chopped raw or cooked vegetables

1 cup of raw leafy vegetables

Fruit Group

1 piece of fruit or melon wedge

3/4 cup of juice

1/2 cup of canned fruit

1/4 cup of dried fruit

Milk Group

Meat Group

2-3 ounces of cooked lean meat, poultry or fish

1/2 cup of cooked dry beans, or 1 egg counts as 1 ounce of lean meat. 2 tablespoons of peanut butter count as 1 ounce of meat.

Fats and Sweets

Limit calories from these.
Four-to-6 year-olds can eat these serving sizes. Offer 2-to-3 year-olds less, except for milk. Two-to-6 year-old children need a total of 2 servings from the milk group each day.

Discourage eating meals or snacks while watching TV. Eating in front of the TV may make it difficult to pay attention to feelings of fullness and may lead to overeating.

Buy fewer high-calorie, low-nutrient foods. Help children understand that sweets and high-fat treats (such as candy, cookies, or cake) are not everyday foods. Don't deprive children of occasional treats, however. This can make them more likely to overeat.

Avoid labeling foods as "good" or "bad." All foods in moderation can be part of a healthy diet.

Involve children in planning, shopping, and preparing meals. Use these activities to understand children's food preferences, teach children about nutrition, and encourage them to try a wide variety of foods.

Make the most of snacks. Continuous snacking may lead to overeating. Plan healthy snacks at specific times. Include two food groups, for example, apple wedges and whole grain crackers. Focus on maximum nutrition - fruits, vegetables, grains, low-sugar cereals, lowfat dairy products, and lean meats and meat alternatives. Avoid excessive amounts of fruit juices, which contains calories, but fewer nutrients than the fruits they come from. A reasonable amount of juice is 4-8 ounces per day.

Encourage physical activity. Participate in family physical activity time on a regular basis, such as walks, bike rides, hikes, and active games. Support your children's organized physical activities. Provide a safe, accessible place outside for play.

Limit the amount of time children watch television, play video games, and work on the computer to 1 to 2 hours per day. The average American child spends about 24 hours each week watching television. Reducing sedentary activities helps increase physical activity.

Taken from Mealtime Memo for child care. A fact sheet for the Child and Adult Care Food Program, from the National Food Service Management Institute, The University of Mississippi.

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Preventing Childhood Obesity: Tips for Parents

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The number of overweight children in the United States has increased dramatically in recent years. Approximately 10 percent of 4 and 5 year old children are overweight, double that of 20 years ago. Overweight is more prevalent in girls than boys and in older preschoolers (ages 4-5) than younger (ages 2-3).

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The Mayo Clinic Explains the dangers behind Childhood Obesity

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Childhood obesity can lead to various conditions, including type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Learn how to protect your child’s health.

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The article below explains how Parents can help their child overcome Obesity

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Obesity in Children: How Parents Can Help - Health Encyclopedia - University of Rochester Medical Center

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A photo that shows different effects  of obesity and shows how to Avoid obesity.

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How we can avoid Obesity in Children is all explained in this article and can help avoid obesity.

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The Picture below explains the life cycle of Obesity in Children heading into adults.

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The rate is growing higher every year, and there are risks to attend.

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The photo explains on what obese children should eat and should not eat.