Obesity+and+Development

=Obesity & Development=

Obesity among America's youth is a growing problem in the 21st century. A number of children are obese and they aren't doing anything about it. A majority of children who are obese during their childhood are obese into adulthood. If this problem isn't controlled soon children are going to be getting heart disease, diabetes, and other health issues at a very young age.


 * Team Bios:**
 * Sam -**I found childhood obesity to be a very interesting topic out of the choices we had. It's a shame that children are gaining so much weight at a young age. An 8 year old shouldn't be gaining weight at a rapid pace, and not involving themselves in any physical activity. When I was 8 years old I was outside as much as possible running around with friends. Childhood obesity isn't just the child's fault, the parents also have the responsibility of keeping their child or children healthy and in shape. I would love to see more children eating healthy and partaking in at least 60 minutes of physical activity that doesn't involve getting up and going to the cookie jar.


 * Taryn-** Obesity is a very interesting topic to me because I am going to be a Physical Education teacher. I am going to have to deal with all of the obese and overweight children in my classes and I am going to be the one to try to help them overcome this problem. Alot of obese and overweight children don't like physical education classes because they can't move around and complete tasks as easy as other children can, it is going to be my job to try and help these students to like physical activity so that they can learn to manage their weight and so that they can participate with the rest of the class. I find it extremely sad that our world is being taken over by an obesity problem, and I guess I understand why, but at the same time I don't. These children's parents should be teaching them healthy eating, and getting them up to go outside and play, rather than sitting them infront of a t.v. to watch a movies or play video games.


 * Gabrielle-** The topic of childhood obesity was interesting to me because it's a problem that is facing most young kids today. Since I plan on working with children I want to be aware of the troubles that affect them. I want to work in a hospital with sick kids, and while they may not suffer from obesity, some could still suffer from the same health issues obese children deal with. Heart disease and diabetes are just some of the problems that are caused by childhood obesity. Learning about the cause's of obesity and how to prevent it has been interesting and informative.


 * Tori**- I took interest in the topic of childhood obesity because of the ways it can affect a child in the classroom. Obesity is not only a physical issue for children but it can become a psychological and emotional issue. Children that are obese or overweight are more subject to social discrimination, which can lead to low self esteem and affect their academic learning. Reversing childhood obesity is a good idea and a good initiative to have, not only for their physical health but for their overall health and development. It has been an interesting topic to research.

1) Definition -Sam 2) Statistics- Sam 3) Effects in childhood development (mental/physical health)- Taryn 4) Early signs of puberty caused by obesity- Taryn 5)Child's Health and Future Consequences- Gabby 6) Preventing Childhood Obesity- Gabby 7) Physical Activity & Nutrition- Tori 8) Political Perspective- Tori
 * Project Outline:**


 * 1) What is Obesity? :**
 * Obesity is defined as an excessive amount of body fat in relation to the lean body mass or muscle.
 * Overweight usually refers to the increase in body weight in relation to height.
 * The BMI (body mass index) measures a person's weight in pounds is divided by the square of the person's height in inches and this result is then multiplied by 703.
 * BMI is a measure of weight adjusted for heigh
 * Underweight < 5th percentile
 * Normal 5th to < 85th percentile
 * At risk of overweight 85th to <95th percentile
 * Overweight 95th percentile and above

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 * 2) Statistics for Obesity:**

has tripled in the past 30 years. from 7% in 1980 to 20% in 2008. in the same period children the age of 12-19 has increased from 5% to 18% more than 1/3 of children and adolescents in the United States are overweight or obese []
 * Childhood Obesity:**

([])
 * In the States (2008)** :
 * < **2008 State Obesity Rates** ||
 * < **State** ||< **%** ||< **State** ||< **%** ||< **State** ||< **%** ||< **State** ||< **%** ||
 * < Alabama ||< 31.4 ||< Illinois ||< 26.4 ||< Montana ||< 23.9 ||< Rhode Island ||< 21.5 ||
 * < Alaska ||< 26.1 ||< Indiana ||< 26.3 ||< Nebraska ||< 26.6 ||< South Carolina ||< 30.1 ||
 * < Arizona ||< 24.8 ||< Iowa ||< 26.0 ||< Nevada ||< 25.0 ||< South Dakota ||< 27.5 ||
 * < Arkansas ||< 28.7 ||< Kansas ||< 27.4 ||< New Hampshire ||< 24.0 ||< Tennessee ||< 30.6 ||
 * < California ||< 23.7 ||< Kentucky ||< 29.8 ||< New Jersey ||< 22.9 ||< Texas ||< 28.3 ||
 * < Colorado ||< 18.5 ||< Louisiana ||< 28.3 ||< New Mexico ||< 25.2 ||< Utah ||< 22.5 ||
 * < Connecticut ||< 21.0 ||< Maine ||< 25.2 ||< New York ||< 24.4 ||< Vermont ||< 22.7 ||
 * < Delaware ||< 27.0 ||< Maryland ||< 26.0 ||< North Carolina ||< 29.0 ||< Virginia ||< 25.0 ||
 * < Washington DC ||< 21.8 ||< Massachusetts ||< 20.9 ||< North Dakota ||< 27.1 ||< Washington ||< 25.4 ||
 * < Florida ||< 24.4 ||< Michigan ||< 28.9 ||< Ohio ||< 28.7 ||< West Virginia ||< 31.2 ||
 * < Georgia ||< 27.3 ||< Minnesota ||< 24.3 ||< Oklahoma ||< 30.3 ||< Wisconsin ||< 25.4 ||
 * < Hawaii ||< 22.6 ||< Mississippi ||< 32.8 ||< Oregon ||< 24.2 ||< Wyoming ||< 24.6 ||
 * < Idaho ||< 24.5 ||< Missouri ||< 28.5 ||< Pennsylvania ||< 27.7 ||<  ||<   ||

- 8.3% of the U.S. population - 18. 8 million people are diagnosed - 7 million people are undiagnosed [] - 1 in 4 children have type 2 diabetes - number of children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes has doubled in the last decade - 1 in every 400 to 600 children have type 1 diabetes - more than 13,000 children a year are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes - 7 per 100,000 per year in children ages 4 and under -15 per 100,000 per year in children 5 to 9 years, - 22 per 100,000 per year in those 10 to 14 years of age
 * Statistics of Diabetes:**
 * -** diabetes affects 25.8 million people (all ages)

The point at which obesity starts in life and the severity of the case affects whether or not obesity will follow into adulthood. Also, the risk of onset and persistance of obesity is greater in femals than males.
 * 3) Effects on Childhood Development:**

__ The Critical Points in Childhood for the Development of Obesity: __ 1.Prenatal Period: Children that have diabetic mothers, or Children with over-nutrition when they are infants, can affect the childs weight later on in life. 2. Adiposity Rebound Period: BMI increases during year 1 and then decreases, and then inccreases a second time during childhood (rebound period). > Children that rebound at an earlier age (5) have a bigger chance of being "fat" for a longer period of time. 3. Adolescence: In a long term study, about 70% of males who were obese in adolescence returned to normal weight, where as only 20% of females returned to their normal weight.
 * Children born to diabetic mothers were more obese than children that born from non-diabetic mothers, at ages 5-9, 10-14, and 15-19.
 * Early exposure to overnutrition and undernutrition in utero can affect the hypothalmic centers (responsible for food intake).
 * Studies suggest that the age at which the rebound occurs can have an impact on obesity in adolescence and adulthood.

__Consequences of Childhood Obesity:__
 * Medical Problems such as sleep apnea, hypertension, asthma, and diabetes.
 * Poor cardiovascular fitness, which can lead to heart disease.
 * Psychological risks: poor self-esteem and body image, depression, difficulties with peers.


 * 4) Early Signs of Puberty:**

Girls who are overweight typically enter into puberty earlier than girls who are of normal weight. With puberty comes excess body fat, around the belly, hips, and thighs. With more body fat, it is easier for your body to convert adrenal hormones into estrogen. Also, the blood in children who are overweight harbors more insulin which can influence maturation.

With the body image that is portrayed all around the world in today's society, girls who enter puberty earlier than others tend to have eating disorders along with other psychological problems. They typically have low self-esteem and a poor body image, along with depression.


 * 5) Child's Health and Future Consequences:**

When a child is overweight, it not only has effects on their development, but also with their health. Children who are obese at 10 years old have an 80% chance of being obese at the age of 25. They can experience health problems at an early age that will follow them into adulthood. Some of these immediate health effects include: As they grow older, these issues can develop further leading to greater health risks. Some long-term problems children may suffer through are: While childhood obesity leads to poor health, there are ways of preventing it.
 * High cholesterol or high blood pressure.
 * Prediabetes - a condition in which blood glucose levels indicate a high risk for development of diabetes.
 * Bone and joint problems.
 * Sleep apnea.
 * Stigmatization and poor self-esteem
 * Heart disease
 * Type 2 diabetes
 * Stroke
 * Osteoarthritis
 * Several types of cancer, including cancer of the breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, kidney, pancreas, gall bladder, thyroid, ovary, cervix, and prostate, as well as multiple myeloma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.


 * 6) Prevention of Childhood Obesity:**

There are many different ways of preventing childhood obesity. Changing lifestyle habits is the best way. This includes healthy eating and regular physical activity. Just doing those things alone can reduce the risk of becoming overweight and other diseases significantly. Another way to help is by getting the word out in schools. If students learn the effects of their unhealthy choices, and have a supportive environment and community, they can start preventing the unwanted health risks. Not only should schools have more than just P.E. classes to promote physical activity, but the food should be healthy as well. However, in order to have the students keep up with these lifestyle changes, their parents have to be on board with this whole program too. Parents supporting their children and partaking in diet and physical activity with them, will show better results in preventing obesity. All these combined is the best way to reduce the risk of childhood obesity.


 * 7) Physical Activity & Nutrition:**

Nutrition and physical activity are the two main factors in getting to and maintaining a healthy weight. Everyone needs food to stay alive, and good nutrition will improve the quality and length of life. Many children eat unhealthily. Large portion sizes, eating out of the house and the commonality of high-calorie food choices all aid in the problem that is childhood obesity.

The right nutrition for children varies as the child ages, but usually the caloric in take level changes and increases as the child gets older and matures into adulthood. Below is a table of average intake of nutrients based on the child/adolescent’s age; the numbers are to maintain a healthy weight and BMI.


 * || Ages 2-3: Girls and Boys || Ages: 4-8 Girls || Ages: 4-8 Boys || Ages: 9-13 Girls || Ages: 9-13 Boys || Ages: 14-18 Girls || Ages: 14-18 Boys ||
 * Calories (all depending on activity level) || 1,000-1,400 || 1,200-1,800 || 1,200-1,800 || 1,400-2,200 || 1,600-2,600 || 1,800-2,400 || 2,000-3,200 ||
 * Protein || 5 to 20 percent of daily calories (13 to 50 grams for 1,000 daily calories) || 10 to 30 percent of daily calories (30 to 90 grams for 1,200 daily calories) || 10 to 30 percent of daily calories (30 to 90 grams for 1,200 daily calories) || 10 to 30 percent of daily calories (35 to 105 grams for 1,400 daily calories) || 10 to 30 percent of daily calories (40 to 120 grams for 1,600 daily calories) || 10 to 30 percent of daily calories (45 to 135 grams for 1,800 daily calories) || 10 to 30 percent of daily calories (50 to 150 grams for 2,000 daily calories) ||
 * Carbohydrates || 45 to 65 percent of daily calories (113 to 163 grams for 1,000 daily calories) || 45 to 65 percent of daily calories (135 to 195 grams for 1,200 daily calories) || 45 to 65 percent of daily calories (135 to 195 grams for 1,200 daily calories) || 45 to 65 percent of daily calories (158 to 228 grams for 1,400 daily calories) || 45 to 65 percent of daily calories (180 to 260 grams for 1,600 daily calories) || 45 to 65 percent of daily calories (203 to 293 grams for 1,800 daily calories) || 45 to 65 percent of daily calories (225 to 325 grams for 2,000 daily calories) ||
 * Total Fat || 30 to 40 percent of daily calories (33 to 44 grams for 1,000 daily calories) || 25 to 35 percent of daily calories (33 to 47 grams for 1,200 daily calories) || 25 to 35 percent of daily calories (33 to 47 grams for 1,200 daily calories) || 25 to 35 percent of daily calories (39 to 54 grams for 1,400 daily calories) || 25 to 35 percent of daily calories (44 to 62 grams for 1,600 daily calories) || 25 to 35 percent of daily calories (50 to 70 grams for 1,800 daily calories) || 25 to 35 percent of daily calories (56 to 78 grams for 2,000 daily calories) ||
 * Sodium || 1,000 milligrams a day || 1,200 milligrams a day || 1,200 milligrams a day || 1,300 milligrams a day || 1,300 milligrams a day || 1,300 milligrams a day || 1,300 milligrams a day ||
 * Fiber || 14 to 20 grams a day, depending on daily calories and activity level || 17 to 25 grams a day, depending on daily calories and activity level || 17 to 28 grams a day, depending on daily calories and activity level || 20 to 31 grams a day, depending on daily calories and activity level || 22 to 36 grams a day, depending on daily calories and activity level || 25 to 34 grams a day, depending on daily calories and activity level || 28 to 45 grams a day, depending on daily calories and activity level ||
 * Calcium || 700 milligrams a day || 1,000 milligrams a day || 1,000 milligrams a day || 1,300 milligrams a day || 1,300 milligrams a day || 1,300 milligrams a day || 1,300 milligrams a day ||
 * Vitamin D || 600 international units a day || 600 international units a day || 600 international units a day || 600 international units a day || 600 international units a day || 600 international units a day || 600 international units a day ||

Being physically active is a big factor in maintaining a healthy weight. A healthy weight requires a good balance between the calories you take in with what you eat and the calories you burn with activity. Increasing your physical activity by even a few minutes a day can pay off with big results in the long run. Even if weight wasn’t a concern, regular physical activity plays a major role in preventing many chronic diseases later in life such as heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and certain kinds of cancer. Children need to exercise daily in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

In addition, obese children are often targets of early social riducule. The psychological stress of this can cause low self-esteem which, in turn, can interrupt and disrupt academic and social functioning, that can continue into adulthood. Though there is research still being done, there have been studies that show obese children are not learning as well as those who are healthier. Further, physical fitness has been shown to corallate with higher achievement in the classroom and in life.

One of the most recent and common political movments to rid the country of childhood obesity has been First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move campagin.
 * 8) Political Perspective:**

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Michelle Obama’s goal with her new campaign is to fight childhood obesity "within a generation so that children born today will reach adulthood at a healthy weight." (Maer, 2010). Let’s Move! is an initiative that was created by the First Lady for the purposes of eliminating childhood obesity. Its main goal is to put children on course to have a healthy future, starting in a child’s early life so that it will hopefully continue through adulthood. The First Lady Plans to
 * Provide information and develop surroundings that aid in healthy choices
 * Give options of healthier food to public schools
 * Promoting and finding ways to make kids more physically active
 * Give families access to affordable healthier foods

These ideas and plans are explained farther in the White House Task Force On Childhood Obesity to the President, which is a one hundred page report overview of the Let’s Move! Campaign that was drawn up and given to the President in May 2010. The Partnership for a Healthier America is an organization that has partnered up with the Let’s Move! Campaign and Federal Government and plans to see it succeed by aiding both in whatever ways that it can. The Let’s Move! website is a tool that explains the projects goals, decisions, and keeps anyone who wants to know up to date on what is going on currently with the project. It has sections that talks about the basic facts, healthy eating and exercising all to benefit children.

Another project to get kids moving that is in the public eye is the NFL and American Heart Association’s Play 60 movement. It was created to motivate kids to get the recomened 60 minuates of play per day at school and at home. It also encourages school to be places of play and phyical activity. The information is downloadable and the resources easily accessable on the American Heart Association’s website.

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__**References:**__ -Bellows, L., & Roach, J. (2011). Childhood overweight. //Colorado State University,//, September, 2011. Retrieved from HYPERLINK "http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09317.html" \t "_blank" __[]__ -Bjorklund, D. B., Carlos. In Deljon R. (Ed.), Child and Adolescent Development: An Integrated Approach. Canada: Wadsworth. doi:December 15, 2011 -Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). //Adolescent and school health: Obesity facts.// Retrieved September/15, 2011, from HYPERLINK "http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm" \t "_blank" __[]__ -Dietz, William H. (1994). Critical Periods in Childhood for the Development of Obesity. doi:December 15, 2011

-Early Puberty; Obesity, Environment Suspected. (2001). Retrieved December 15, 2011, from @http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2001-02-12-early-puberty.htm-Georgetown University. (2002). Childhood obesity: A lifelong threat to health.//Center on an Aging Society//(Chronic and Disabling Conditions), September, 2011. Retrieved from HYPERLINK "http://hpi.georgetown.edu/agingsociety/pdfs/obesity.pdf" \t "_blank" __[]__ -Weinshenker, N. (2002). Adolescence and Body Image: What's Typical and What's Not. //6//(4), December 15, 2011. -Let's move! america's move to raise a healthier generation of kids. (2011)., December 14, 2011-Eat Healthy, Get Active. doi:December 15, 2011, from []

-Maer, P. (2010). Obamas unveil plan to fight childhood obesity., December 15, 2011, from [|http://cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-6189545-503544.html]

// -NFL play 60 challenge. // (2011). Retrieved 12/14, 2011, from www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Educator/FortheClassroom/NFLPlay60Challenge/NFL-PLAY-60-Challenge-Page_UCM_304278_Article.jsp# -Nutrition, phyical activity and obesity. (October 17, 2011). doi:2011, from []