Health Tips

Weighing In on Childhood and Adolescent Obesity

With bathing suit season upon us, many adults are focused on their weight, but did you know that the prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity is on the rise? The CDC reports that the percentage of overweight children aged 2-5 years is up to 13.9%, ages 6-11 years is up to 18.8% and ages 12-19 years is up to 17.4%.

Through Knoxville Orthopaedic Clinic’s Sports Medicine Outreach program, our certified athletic trainers are involved in local athletics at the youth and high school level. Athletic trainers have seen first-hand the alarming trend in the rise of childhood and adolescent obesity. While we provide on-site injury prevention and care, we also have a passion for youth health and well-being that extends beyond the playing field.

Obesity in children and adolescents has lead to an increase of Type II diabetes, heart-related conditions, and other chronic health conditions. These are health problems that previously were only seen in adults! Childhood obesity also contributes to asthma and sleep apnea. It has even been linked to decreased academic and behavioral performance.

Why is this happening?

• Fewer meals are eaten at home or as a family
• Increased “screen time”
• Availability of convenience foods
• Lack of knowledge
• Higher cost of better food choices

What can be done?
Get moving! Children often imitate adults, so it is important to lead by example. Exercise can be fun and a great way to spend family time. Here are some examples of moderate intensity physical activity:

• Brisk walking
• Jogging
• Playing tag
• Swimming
• Playing soccer
• Jumping rope

Talk to your children to find out what activities they enjoy and try to incorporate them into an active lifestyle. Explain healthy food choices and the importance of exercise to your kids. Encourage children to be more active by limiting sedentary time, including television and video games.

Nutrition Tips: the key to maintaining a healthy weight is to balance the calories your child consumes through food and beverage with the calories your child expends through physical activity and normal growth.
Examples of healthy food choices are:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Whole-grain products
• Lean meats and fish
• Nuts
• Plenty of water; limit sugar-sweetened beverages
• Skim milk and low-fat yogurt

Stress the importance of eating a well-balanced diet and 3 main meals a day. Serve reasonably sized portions.

Learning how to make healthy decisions at a young age can lead to a lifetime of fitness and well-being!

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