The present situation as far as childhood obesity is concerned leaves parents in greater despair than ever before since there are much more cases being reported – even in the case of adolescents. The number of obese children falling in the ages between two and five and adolescents of ages twelve to nineteen have doubled from what they were in the seventies, and in the case of children in the age groups six and eleven, the figures have tripled. What’s more, according to available childhood obesity statistics it is believed that an estimated thirty-three percent of young children will more than likely become overweight and that, these same childhood obesity statistic show that sixteen percent of them have already become overweight.
No Gender Bias
According to childhood obesity statistic there does not seem to be any gender bias and children of either sex are just as likely to become obese and the incidences of childhood obesity continue to rise as compared to figures from the sixties. These childhood obesity statistics are very discouraging as it has been found that more then twenty-nine percent (it is believed) of boys are at risk of putting on too much weight; in the case of young girls, the situation in not all that better with an estimated twenty-seven percent of them struggling to remain in good shape.
Furthermore, this same childhood obesity statistic suggests that different groups are more affected by obesity; especially Mexican Americans whose problem with remaining in good shape are more than for other groups. In Mexican American children, and more particularly among boys, an estimated forty-two percent of them are overweight. However, in the case of girls the problem is more pronounced among African females as compared to Mexican Americans and other groups.
That childhood obesity statistics are less than encouraging is abundantly clear judging by the report released in 2001 by US Surgeon General. This report emphasized the need to take immediate steps to stem the rising tide of childhood obesity cases that have reached a state of epidemic. Childhood obesity is certainly a grave concern not only when the person is still young; but, also when they become adults when they will be left smarting from physical and emotional scars.
This grave situation should make parents and healthcare givers alike seek out information that helps to shed light on the possible causes of childhood obesity and then act in a manner to stem the rot. Perhaps, the answer to this grave situation lies in the fact that obese children suffer from imbalance in their energy levels – thanks mainly to consuming excessive amounts of calories – and curtailing the intake of such excessive calories may provide the solution to obesity in children.
