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When it comes to the adverse effects of obesity, it’s a common misconception that kids and teens with a high body mass index (BMI) are somewhat “protected by their youth.”
Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth.
Like adults, children and adolescents with obesity have an increased risk of developing serious weight-related health concerns, especially if their dietary patterns, activity levels, and weight condition don’t improve.
But we have good news. With the right information, tools, and support, pediatric obesity is reversible and its long-term health effects are preventable. With offices in Fairfax, Lansdowne, Vienna, Arlington, and Charlottesville, Virginia, our compassionate team at Nova Physician Wellness Center is here to help.
A child-specific BMI comparison
As a parent, you know that children grow and develop at different rates. You may have also noticed that kids often seem to “pack on the pounds” just before a growth spurt, only to “get lean” again as their height increases.
Unfortunately, for many of today’s youth, extra weight isn’t just part of a momentary growth phase, it’s a persistent condition that often worsens over time.
Pediatric obesity is diagnosed based on how a child’s BMI compares to someone else of their age and gender on the appropriate growth chart. Specifically, kids age 2 and older have obesity if their BMI is at or above the 95th percentile on the growth chart that corresponds to their age and gender.
Pediatric obesity, by the numbers
The pediatric obesity rate in the U.S. has tripled over the last 50 years, with a worrisome eightfold increase among kids ages 5-19 since 1975.
Those numbers continued climbing during the pandemic, as more kids than ever pivoted away from physical activity to increased screen time and the comforts of junk food.
Today, obesity is an ever-growing problem that affects nearly one in five American children (19%); a further one in six children (16%) are overweight and at risk of obesity.
The ‘perfect storm’ of risk factors
While experts agree that many cases of significant weight gain early in life may have a genetic (family history) component, they also agree that today’s pediatric obesity epidemic is mostly driven by cultural influences and controllable lifestyle choices.
Factors that contribute to pediatric obesity include:
- Eating processed foods
- Drinking sugary beverages
- Lack of physical activity
- Excessive screen time
- Not getting enough sleep
- Trauma; high stress levels
Sometimes, a child’s community may make weight control harder. There may not be safe outdoor spaces for physical activity, or healthy foods may not be available.
Adverse effects of early weight gain
Obesity is one of the most common chronic conditions affecting kids and teens. Excess weight doesn’t just affect a child’s health during their developmental years, it increases their chances of suffering from worsening problems in adulthood.
Physical health
Kids with obesity are more likely to develop metabolic syndrome, which includes:
- Elevated blood pressure (hypertension)
- Unhealthy blood lipids (high cholesterol)
- Insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Breathing issues (asthma; sleep apnea)
Kids with Type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop heart disease and kidney disease as adults, and these illnesses are also more likely to appear at an earlier age. Young joints that are constantly strained by excess weight are more likely to develop arthritis-related joint damage earlier in adulthood, too.
Mental health
Pediatric obesity carries serious mental and emotional effects as well. Compared to their peers who are at a healthier weight, children with obesity are more likely to experience social anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
Cancer risk
Obesity during early life creates a persistent inflammatory environment in the body that may undermine the immune system’s defenses against cancer later in life, increasing the risk of leukemia as well as breast and colon cancers in adulthood.
Long-term outlook
Without intervention, young people with obesity are more likely to have adult obesity. For about 55% of children and 80% of adolescents with obesity, early weight gain sets the stage for lifelong weight and health challenges, including an increased risk of premature death.
Your child can reach a healthy weight
Fortunately, with the right information and support, childhood obesity can be reversed and its adverse effects on physical health, mental well-being, and early mortality can be prevented.
Our pediatric weight loss specialists work with you and your child to help them establish healthy eating patterns, proper portion control, and better exercise habits.
We also offer insight into the weight-control benefits of limited screen time, improved sleep, and reduced stress. And for adolescents age 12 and older who qualify, GLP-1 weight loss medications may be a helpful component of care.
The bottom line? The time for action is now: Kids who successfully reverse obesity go on to have similar health outcomes to their peers who never struggled with their weight.
Worried about your child’s weight? Schedule a visit at Nova Physician Wellness Center today.