Childhood obesity is a condition where excess body fat negatively affects a child's health or wellbeing. As methods to determine body fat directly are difficult, the diagnosis of obesity is often based on BMI. Due to the rising prevalence of obesity in children and its many adverse health effects it is being recognized as a serious public health concern.

Classification

Body mass index (BMI) is acceptable for determining obesity for children two years of age and older. The normal range for BMI in children vary with age and sex.

Effects on health

Childhood obesity can lead to life-threatening conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep problems, cancer, and other disorders.[http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09317.html Childhood Obesity ] Some of the other disorders would include liver disease, early puberty or menarche, eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, skin infections, and asthma and other respiratory problems. Studies have shown that overweight children are more likely to grow up to be overweight adults.

Obese children often suffer from teasing by their peers.[http://www.obesity.org/discrimination/educa.shtml Obesity.Org ] Some are harassed or discriminated against by their own family. Stereotypes abound and may lead to low self esteem and depression.

Causes

As with many conditions, childhood obesity can be brought on by a range of factors which often act in combination.

Dietary

The effects of eating habits on childhood obesity are difficult to determine. A three year randomized controlled study of 1,704 3rd grade children which provided two healthy meals a day in combination with an exercise program and dietary counsellings failed to show a significant reduction in percentage body fat when compared to a control group. This was partly due to the fact the even though the children believed they were eating less their actually calorie consumption did not decrease with the intervention. At the same time observed energy expenditure remained similar between the groups. This occurred even though dietary fat intake decreased from 34% to 27%. A second study of 5,106 children showed similar results. Even though the children eat an improved diet there was not effect found on BMI. Why these studies did not bring about the desired effect of curbing childhood obesity has been attributed to the interventions not being sufficient enough. Changes were made primarily in the school environment well it is felt that they must occur in the home, the community, and the school simultaneously to have a significant effect.