Effort Inadequate? Study Shows 1 In 5 US Kids Considered Obese Despite Campaign

Despite the implementation of different programs geared toward lowering obesity rates in the country, the latest official data shows almost one in every five U.S. kids is seriously overweight. For years, the medical condition has been among the country’s major public health problems.

Upward Trend

Dr. Tannaz Moin, an endocrinologist and obesity expert, was among those disappointed by the news given that anti-obesity programs in the country have been in place for years. “We really were expecting and hoping to see the trends decrease,” she said. Dr. Moin is also an Assistant Professor of Medicine at UCLA’s Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism.

While adult obesity has been observed to be inching upward, what health experts worry the most is childhood obesity. It is because this health problem can put the kids on the path of medical conditions like heart disease and diabetes.

The Latest Data

The findings of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as regards the obesity rate came from a gold-standard health survey that included measuring the height and weight of participants. The latest data was a product of surveys conducted in 2017 and 2018, where over 2,800 children in the United States participated. The health body released its newest findings in April in an infographic found in the back of one of CDC’s publications.

An analysis of the said survey showed that 19.3% of kids aged two to 19 were grossly overweight or obese. The rate is slightly up from the 18.6% during a 2015 to 2016 national survey on the same matter. While the increase may not be regarded as statistically significant, which means there might be a mathematical chance the rate did not even rise, it did follow an upward trend. In a 2005 to 2006 survey, 15.4% of the kids in the United States were found to be obese.

Worse Trends In The Coming Years

The CDC also found that the percentage of U.S. kids who are severely obese remains around 6%, a rate that has been almost constant for many years. Health experts say many factors contribute to childhood obesity. These include consuming lots of sugary beverages and processed foods. Lack of physical exercise is also seen as another major factor.

According to Dr. Moin, the present coronavirus crisis, which has closed schools and brought about stay-at-home orders, is not helping at all. She said that, for the most part, kids are at home and without so much physical activity. “We may see worse trends in the coming years, especially if this pandemic continues the way it is,” Dr. Moin said.