Childhood obesity
ISSUE SUMMARY
According to the Centers for Disease Control, childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. The prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 years increased from 6.5 percent in 1980 to 19.6 percent in 2008. The Kaiser Foundation State Health Facts (2007 data) reports that 31.1 percent of Kansas children between the ages of 10-17 are overweight or obese. These data along with adult statistics makes Kansas the 16th most obese state in the fattest nation in the world.
Childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term health impacts:
- Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. In a population-based sample of 5 to 17-year-olds, 70 percent of obese youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
- Children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem.
- Obese youth are more likely than youth of normal weight to become overweight or obese adults, and therefore more at risk for associated adult health problems, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer and osteoarthritis.
Kansas physicians have an opportunity to collectively advocate for policy and programmatic changes that promote healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and increased physical activity.
ADOPTED ACTION OR POLICY
The Kansas Medical Society should endorse comprehensive initiatives dedicated to solving the problem of childhood obesity in a generation so that kids born today will grow up healthier. Additionally, KMS should make available information to physician members containing specific steps members can take to in their community to reduce the frequency of childhood obesity.
Referred to the KMS Executive Committee for information on April 30, 2011.
