In America today, childhood obesity is quickly becoming a cause for health practitioners. The percentage of overweight children, ages 6-11 years of age, in the United States alone have doubled since the 1980s. It is now estimated that over 20% of youth are obese or on the verge of becoming so and the numbers keep rising. This is quite unsettling, as the numbers of obese children have tripled in the last twenty years.

How Obesity Is Measured

Childhood obesity is defined using the Body Mass Index (BMI) measuring tool. The BMI is mathematical system that measures weight in proportion to height. It is the most common way to measure the body fat of an individual and helps doctors to determine if the child the level of the childs obesity.

The Most Common Causes For Obesity In Children

One of the most alarming issues with so many children between the ages of 6-11 being obese is that they have a 75% chance of becoming an obese adult. Obesity is the major cause of such illnesses as diabetes, heart problems, cancer, high blood pressure, just to name a few. Many children suffering from obesity are already experiencing medical conditions such as pediatric hypertension and Type II diabetes. These medical conditions can only lead to further complications when the child reaches adulthood.

There are many different opinions on the causes of childhood obesity and some say that there isnt just one thing responsible for the increase but rather a collection of influences. However, the culture of the American childhood has changed dramatically in the last twenty years with the influences of video games, television and home computers. In the past, children played outside a large majority of their day riding bikes, athletic games or just being active outdoors. Today more children remain indoors playing computer games, watching television or on the computer. This sedentary life is one of the causes of the increase in weight gain in children today.

Another identified cause of the childhood obesity increase is the dietary habits of the American family. Fast food, junk foods and commercially prepared meals are all generally high is fats, sugars and other unhealthy additives. The unhealthy eating habits of a family increase the severity of the obesity problem in the within the entire family but build unhealthy eating choices that could continue into future generations as well. Proper education on quality food choices is a fundamental tool that must be implemented if the American population wants to reverse this cycle.

While genetics do play a part in the heredity body styles and how the body actively stores excess fat the fact that the obesity rate in American children has nearly tripled in the last twenty years tends to discredit this as being a cause for the current epidemic in the increase of obesity among children.

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