Childhood Obesity Statistics and Facts
Childhood obesity statistics and facts about obesity :
•Nearly half of the children in North and South America will be overweight by 2010, up from what recent studies say is currently about one-third of the children in North and South America. (International Journal of Pediatric Obesity)
•The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that nearly one-third of children and adolescents in the United States are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight, increasing the chances they will develop health problems such as Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. (Centers For Disease Control and Prevention)
•Children who are overweight are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem. (National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion)
•Since the early 1970s, the number of overweight children ages 2-5 and 12-19 has doubled and the number of overweight children ages 6-11 has tripled. Today, more than 16% of young people ages 6-19 are overweight. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
•Between 1970 and 1995, food purchased away from home went from 25% to 45%. Between the late 1970s and the mid 1990s, the number of calories in food prepared away from home rose from 18% to 34%. Away from home foods are proven to be higher in fat and lower in fiber and calcium than foods prepared at home. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
•Only 8% of elementary schools, 6.4% of middle schools and 5.8% of high schools provide physical activity education. (Healthy Kids Challenge)
•The percentage of overweight African American, Hispanic and Native American children is about 20%. (The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports)
•Fast food consumption has increased fivefold among children since 1970. (Pediatrics Magazine, 2004)
•Nearly one-third of U.S. children aged 4 to 19 eat fast food every day, resulting in approximately six extra pounds per year, per child. (National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions, 2004)