Childhood Obesity – Why it Matters

1 in 3In the US today, 33% of all children and teens, or one out of every three children, are overweight or obese. While overweight is a cause for awareness, obesity, with its potential health implications, is cause for concern. In Harford County, 10.7% of our young people are obese (BMI>= 30). Even more concerning, is that fact that while the State rate for youth obesity is improving, the rate in Harford County is actually worsening.

 

Maryland Youth Risk Behavior Survey (MYRBSS) via SHIP data

So, why is childhood obesity a concern?

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for:

  • cardiovascular disease (such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, prediabetes) 
  • bone and joint problems
  • sleep apnea
  • social and psychological problems (such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem)   

 Children and adolescents who are obese are likely to be obese as adults and are therefore more at risk for the following adult health problems:

  • heart disease
  • type 2 diabetes
  • stroke
  • several types of cancer
  • osteoarthritis

Overweight and obesity are also associated with increased risk for many types of cancer, including:

  • breast cancer
  • colon cancer
  • cancer of the endometrium
  • cancer of the esophagus
  • kidney cancer
  • pancreatic cancer
  • gall bladder cancer
  • thyroid cancer
  • ovarian cancer
  • cervical cancer
  • prostate cancer
  • multiple myeloma
  • Hodgkin’s lymphoma

The best news though, is that through early interventions such as access to healthy food, increased physical activity, and more walkable/bikeable communities, these health risks can be remedied.