Childhood obesity is a serious public health problem globally. The prevalence of obesity among youth has been increasing steadily. Children who are overweight or obese are likely to stay obese into adulthood and are at risk to develop obesity related serious health problems including early puberty, insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea, fatty liver disease, high cholesterol and orthopedic issues. These complications may lead early death. Also youth with overweight or obesity are at risk to develop psychological diseases such as depression, poor body image, eating disorder, and behavioral and learning disorders.

1. Whitetulip
Health
Foundation
Childhood
Obesity

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m7J
uxqrPW4

3. Definition
• Weight gain is due to imbalance between
caloric intake and energy expenditure.
• When the child is above the normal healthy
weight for his or her age and height, it is called
“obesity”.
• Obesity is determined by calculating the Body
Mass Index (BMI).
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/physical_activity/index.html

4. Overweight or Obese
 Overweight:
 Body Mass Index (BMI) is at or above the 85th
 percentile and below the 95th percentile
 Obese:
 Body Mass Index (BMI) is at or above the 95th
percentile
http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/defining.html

5. Body Mass Index
BMI Calculator:
https://nccd.cdc.g
ov/d
npabmi/Calculator
.asp x
Body Mass Index
(BMI)
How to calculate BMI:
Weight in kilograms divided by a
weight in meters
 Age specific
 Sex specific
 Inexpensive
 Not invasive
 Easy to perform
 High BMI is an indicator of high body fat
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/physical_activity/index.html

6. Question
How many children and
adolescents aged 2-19 are
affected by childhood
obesity in America?
a. 2 Million
b. 6 Million
c. 12 Million
d. 25 Million

7. Obesity Facts
• Childhood obesity affects 12.7 million in the U.S.
• Tripled over the past 30 years
• One third of children and adolescents are overweight
or obese.
• 18% of children and adolescents are overweight or
obese
• Prevalence is higher in Hispanics (21.9%) and Non-
Hispanic Blacks (19.5%)
*CDC statistics are based on children and adolescents aged 2-19 between 2011-2014

10. Question
 According to National Survey of Children’s
Health in 2016 which state has the highest rate
in childhood obesity?
A. Utah
B. Tennessee
C. Vermont
D. Texas

11. Highest rate states:
Tennessee: 37.7%
North Dakota: 37.1%
Mississippi: 37%
Lowest rate states:
Utah: 19.2%
Oregon: 20.3%
Vermont: 22.2%

12. Question
Childhood obesity increases
the risk for:
a. Asthma
b. Diabetes
c. Cardiovascular disease
d. Depression
e. All of the above

13. Acute Health Concerns
 High Blood Pressure
 High Cholesterol
 Diabetes
 Asthma
 Sleep Apnea
 Joint discomfort
 Liver Disease
 Gallstones
 Gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD)
 Depression
 Low self-esteem

14. Chronic Health Concerns
 Adult Obesity
 Cardiovascular Disease
 Diabetes
 High Blood pressure
 Stroke
 Cancer
 Osteoarthritis
 Reproductive Problems
 Gallstones
 Sleep disorders
 Depression

15. Question
What are the 3 major
contributing factors to
Obesity?
a. Inactivity
b. Increased consumption of high-caloric foods
(food choices)
c. Genetics
d. Media use or screen time

16. Contributing Factors
Genetics
(or other organic
causes)
Behavioral Environmental
*Minor role
• Medical causes
should be ruled out
first but genetics is
NOT the major
contributor
*Major role
• Physical Inactivity
• Food choices
• Media use or screen
time
• Eating patterns
• Social norms
• Cultural norms
• Family norms
• Parenting style
• Parents overweight or
obese
*Influential role
• Daycare/School
• After-school programs
• Community
• Home environment

17. What Should We Do?
 Healthy diet
 Physical exercise
 Limited screen time
 Collaboration with school system
 Changing parenting habits and cultural norms

18. WHERE DO WE START?

19. Let’s Move!
 Launched in 2010 Initiatives Promotes Healthy Futures
http://www.letsmove.gov

20. 5-2-1-0 Lets go!
 Nationally recognized program
 Reinforce healthful habits
 http://www.letsgo.org
Goals:
To increase physical
activity
and healthful eating
habits

21. Family-Based interventions
Research finds that parental involvement
strongly influences a child’s behaviors.
 Integral change agent
 Parents are responsible for meal planning
(Plan, Purchase, and Prepare)
 Parents are responsible for activity planning
 Parents are the primary role-models for their
own children

22. Contributing Factors to Obesity:
INCREASED SCREEN TIME
PHYSICAL INACTIVITY
POOR EATING HABITS

23. Question?
How many hours does
the average school-age
child spend in front of a
screen?
a. 2 hours
b. 4 hours
c. 7 hour
d. 9 hours

24. Screen Time
 29% of children under 1 years old watch TV about
90 minutes daily.
 64% of toddlers watch TV for about 2 hours daily.
 Preschoolers spend about 2.2 to 4.6 hours in
front of a screen.
 School-age children spend about 7 hours daily in
front of a screen.

25. Screen Time
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2016 Statement
about the impact of media on cognitive, language, motor, social,
and emotional skills of children.
www.healthychildren.org/MediaUsePlan

26. Screen Time and Childhood Obesity
 Increased screen use is associated with
childhood obesity
 Screen time is linked to an elevated BMI
 Screen time is associated with consuming
extra calories
 Screen time is associated with inactivity

27. Screen Time and Other Concerns
 Irregular sleep patterns
 Sleep disturbances
 Delayed language skills
 Less time engaged in creative play to develop
problem-solving skills
 Decreased interactions and decreased
socializing
 Lower academic achievements and poor grades
 Increased psychological difficulties

28. Screen Time and Media: AAP
Recommendations
 Avoid digital media in children 18-24 months of
age. If you choose to introduce digital media,
choose high quality programs and do it together!
 Limit screen time for children 2-5 years to
co-viewing 1 hour per day high quality
programs. Help children understand and apply
concepts to world around them!
 Avoid fast-paced and violent content.
 Do not leave televisions on when not in use.
AAP: Media and Young Minds (2016)
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/early/2016/10/19/peds.2016-
2591.full.pdf

29. Screen Time and Media: AAP
Recommendations
 Do not use media to calm child.
 Monitor media and downloaded content.
 Make mealtimes media and screen free.
 No screens 1 hour before bed.
 Create unplugged spaces.
 Use new technology in social and creative ways
 Do not substitute sleep, activity, play, reading or
social interactions with media or screen use.
AAP: Media and Young Minds (2016)
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/early/2016/10/19/peds.2016-2591.full.pdf

30. Question
How many hours should a
school-age child engage in
aerobic physical activity?
a. 30 minutes
b. 1 hour
c. 1 or more hours
d. 2 hours

31. Physical Activity
According to the CDC children and adolescents should
engage in
60 minutes or more of physical activity daily.
• Aerobic Activity
• Muscle Strengthening
• Bone Strengthening

32. Physical Activity
 Benefits
 Reduce risk for childhood obesity
 Build strong bones and muscles
 Reduce depressive symptoms
 May improve academic skills
 Increased quantity of life
 What else?
 Barriers
 Time
 Motivation
 Fear
 Support
 Access
 What else?

33. Question
a. Availability
b. Color
c. Convenience
d. Taste
e. Cost
What is the major factor impacting food choices today?

34. Healthy Eating Habits
• Healthy eating habits start early in
life
• Advertising impacts the foods
purchased
• Limited access to healthy and
affordable foods
• Greater availability to high caloric
foods
• Increased portion sizes
• Don’t skip breakfast
• Foods are chosen often based on
convenience

35. Healthy Eating
• Half the plate should be fruits and vegetables (400g or 5 portions daily)
• Half your grains should be whole grains
• Choose low fat dairy products
• Vary your protein routine
• Decrease sodium, saturated fat, and sugar intake
Fruits Grains Dairy Vegetables Protein Limit
•Whole fruits
(Meals,
Snacks,
Dessert)
• Oatmeal
• Popcorn
• Brown Rice
• Fat-free milk
• Yogurt
• Soy milk
• Fresh,
frozen or
canned
• Raw
• Salads
• Sides
• Main dishes
• Seafood
• Beans
• Unsalted
nuts and
seeds
• Soy products
• Eggs
• Lean meats
• Poultry
• Cake
• Cookies
• Pastries
• Satura
ted
milk
• Fats
• Salt
• Juice

36. Healthful Eating Meal Times
 Offer the same foods for
everyone
 Kids should be involved in the
mealtime preparation
 Do not reward or punish with
food
 Eat at the table all together
 Go food shopping together
Role model healthful
eating habits!
Healthful Eating
Mealtimes

37. Healthful Eating Snacks
• Prepare in advance (slice veggies and
store them)
• Snack on protein
• Offer whole-wheat breads and cereals
• Portion control
• Fruits are quick and easy
• Drink low fat milk instead of sugary
alternatives
• Encourage plenty of water
 Role model healthful eating habits!
Healthful Eating
Snacks

38. Healthy Eating
Pros Cons (barriers)
 Prevent Childhood obesity
 Promote growth and development
 Increased energy
 Higher quality of life
 What else?
 Overweight or obese
 Energy imbalance
 Decreased health
 Decreased cognitive development
 Cost
 Time
 What else?
How can you promote healthy eating
habits in your family?

39. Parental Role
 Engage children in physical
activity
 Reduce screen time
 Make healthy foods available
Parental Role:
Create a
healthy home
environment
Role-model healthful
behaviors!

40. Adopting a Healthy Lifestyle
Benefits Barriers
 Decreased health risks
 Increased quality of life
 Increased quantity of life
 What else?
 Access to healthy foods
 Cost of healthy foods
 Access to community activities
 Cost of activities
 Time
 What else?
What are 3 ways you can incorporate
healthy habits into the family routine?

41. Behavior Change
 Change happens over
time, not overnight!
 Use support &
resources
 There will be
set-backs
Pre-contemplation Stage: Consider the change
Contemplation Stage: Consider pros and cons
Preparation Stage: Decide to make change
Action Stage: Take action!
Maintenance: Sustained lifestyle change
When Set-Backs occurs… get back
into action!
Make realistic mini-goals and focus on
SUCCESS!

42.  Monitor progress
 Reward Success (NOT with food!)
 Make adjustments
 Change things up
 Keep it fresh
Have Fun!
SUCCESS

43. Thank You!