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Content: Obesity is a chronic condition, which has taken a significant numbers of years to develop
When did we become concerned? -Not soon enough! -Cost $100 billion to treat obesity-related disease
CLASS NOTES
Policy makers have ranked obesity as a critical public health threat, comparing it to tobacco use and auto safety. Is It Only America? -This is a global problem—other countries are experiencing similar problems
-According to the World Health Organization, 17.6 million children under age 5 are estimated to be overweight worldwide
Obesity Rates Around the Globe
According to recent statistics, the biggest health crisis is in China's cities
-12% of adults and 8% of children are classified as obese
-During the past 10 years, China's overall obesity rate has increased by an astronomical 97%
Health Problems Associated With Obesity in Children*
-Type 2 diabetes
-Fatty liver precursor to cirrhosis
-Obstructive sleep apnea
-Increased blood pressure
-Increased cholesterol levels
-Early puberty
CLASS NOTES
If obesity rates level off, 30% of boys and 40% of girls still may develop type 2 diabetes. Consequences of Weight Problems in Children
-Obese kids suffer physically and emotionally throughout childhood
-Quality of life issue is extremely important, not to be overlooked
Consequences of Weight Problems in Children
-Overweight children as young as age 5 develop negative self-image
-Obese adolescents: --Have low self-esteem
--Are more often sad and lonely
--Engage in high-risk behaviors
Diet-Related Causes
-Increased calorie consumption
-Sugar and fat intakes have increased significantly, mostly from: -Snacks
-Juice/soda
-Foods eaten away from home
Contributing Factors
-Fast-food chains in schools, including preschools (delivery)
-Over-snacking children, especially during toddlerhood
--May affect satiety
-Aggressive advertising by food companies and fast-food restaurants is targeted at children (Saturday AM TV), which results in poor food choices vs fruit, vegetables, and whole grains
-At-home physical activity replaced by Nintendo, computer, or TV
-Restricting young children's access to foods does not promote moderate intake of restricted foods 
-Study does not suggest abandonment of structure in child feeding 
-Limit setting is an important part of child feeding
-Families need guidance to prevent overly restrictive approaches
-Offering food to children in the absence of hunger is associated with an increased risk of overweight
-Girls between ages 5-7 who ate large amounts of snack foods in the absence of hunger were 4.6 times more likely to be overweight
-Genetic predisposition in conjunction with parental feeding attitudes and styles
-Children born at a high risk for overweight experience more rapid weight gain by 6 years of age than do children at low risk for obesity
-Latest news: Mother's diet in pregnancy linked to childhood obesity
CLASS NOTES 
Snacking has increased significantly in the US from 1977-1996. The percentage of children ages 6-11 consuming snacks increased from 76%-91%.