Childhood Obesity: A Rising Epidemic

Did you know that in the United States alone, more than 15% of children between the ages of 6 and 19 and 10% of 2- to 5-yr-olds are overweight. Childhood obesity is an insidious epidemic that threatens the health of future generations. But why has this rise occurred?

Here are some key facts regarding childhood obesity:

* Breastfeeding reduces the risk of childhood obesity
*What mothers eat while they're pregnant can lead to childhood obesity, especially if the mother is herself overweight
*The rise in childhood obesity is not linked to fat consumption, but rather to high carbohydrate intake. Soda, especially, is a prime culprit, because of its high sugar content and low nutrient content. For each additional serving of a sugar-sweetened drink, there is a 60% increased risk in the development of childhood obesity.
*TV also contributes to childhood obesity by decreasing physical movement and increasing snacking
*Family dynamics play a role in childhood obesity as well. Specifically, parental obesity is predictive of childhood obesity
*Childhood obesity has psychosocial consequences, such as peer victimization or isolation