Childhood Obesity Key Messages
Overweight and obesity, especially among children, have emerged as
serious threats to our nation’s health. Obesity is a major
modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
According to the American Heart Association, about 16 percent of
all children and teens in the United States are overweight.
More than twice as many children – and almost three times as many
teens – are overweight as in 1980.
Recent research suggests that obesity shortens the average
lifespan by at least four to nine months. If childhood obesity
continues to increase, it could cut two to five years from the
average lifespan, causing our current generation of children to
become the first in American history to live shorter lives than
their parents.
Causes of Obesity:
- Too much of the wrong foods (bigger portions & less
nutrition): Between 1977 and 1994, overall caloric consumption
increased by about 9 percent in adolescent boys and about 7
percent in adolescent girls.
- Lack of physical activity: The American Heart Association
recommends at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days
of the week. However, nearly 23 percent of children and nearly
40 percent of adults get no free-time physical activity at all.
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