Childhood and Adolescent Obesity: Understanding the U.S. Epidemic

Childhood obesity is the latest U.S. epidemic to come to the attention of the public health community. According to numerous recent studies, in the last 20 years, obesity rates have doubled for children and tripled for adolescents. In addition, for children aged 2- 17, studies have reported an increase in the average weight. Statistics indicate that the risk of overweight or obesity in children and adolescents is directly related to minority status and poverty. The reasons for these increases are still under investigation. Causes of obesity may include: genetics/family history, soft drink consumption, sedentary lifestyle, and fast food consumption. The detrimental effects on young people run the gamut from physiological effects (e.g. type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritic problems) to psychological effects (e.g. low self esteem, depression). Even more concerning is the potential for a decreased life span in this population at a time when technology and advanced health care techniques have the capacity to improve the quality oflife and increase longevity. Strategies for treatment and prevention are still being tested in an attempt to halt the epidemic. However, research on strategies for preventing and treating overweight in children has produced inconclusive results. In fact, the majority of treatment studies involving diet and exercise found no differences between treatment and control groups. Prevention research has focused on both primary and secondary prevention techniques which include promoting: breastfeeding, increased physical activity, reduced sedentary behaviors, increased fruit and vegetable consumption, reduced consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks, and reduced portion sizes none of which have been shown to have unequivocal success. For further progress to be made in stemming the tide of childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity, policies need to be implemented that address the need for scientific data to identifY effective treatment and prevention strategies. However, it is unlikely that these policies will be enacted along with the funding necessary to address these research needs until childhood obesity is a high priority on the public agenda. This paper reviews the current literature on the problem, causes, health outcomes, treatment, and prevention strategies associated with childhood overweight and obesity along with presenting a study ofU.S. population data, and a summary of policy issues related to the epidemic.Master of Public Healt