Childhood obesity has skyrocketed over the past few decades. The recent pandemic only exacerbated the trend, as increased stress, reduced activity, and convenience-food culture set the stage for worsening health habits among people of all ages.
Unfortunately, kids and teens with obesity have a much higher risk of developing serious weight-related health problems, especially as time goes on.
But it’s not all bad news. With the right information, tools, and support, childhood obesity is reversible, and its associated long-term health effects are preventable — our expert team at Laurel Pediatrics & Teen Medical Center in Bel Air, Maryland, is here to help.
Children grow and develop at different rates, and it’s not unusual for many kids and teens to seemingly “pack on the pounds” just before a sudden growth spurt. Unfortunately, being overweight isn’t just a phase for many of today’s youth.
Childhood obesity is diagnosed based on where a child’s body mass index (BMI) lands on the appropriate growth chart. Specifically, kids aged two and older are considered obese if their BMI is at or above the 95th percentile on the standard growth chart that corresponds to their age and gender.
The childhood obesity rate in the United States has tripled since 1975, with a striking eightfold increase among kids aged 5-19 years old. As of 2024, obesity is an increasingly serious problem that affects nearly one in five American children (19%); a further one in six children (16%) are currently overweight and at risk of obesity.
Although genetics and family history can play a role in early weight gain, most experts agree that societal influences and familial lifestyle choices largely fuel the childhood obesity epidemic. Factors that put today’s kids at an increased risk of obesity include:
In some cases, a child’s community makes it difficult to maintain a healthy weight. There may be unsafe outdoor spaces for easy physical activity, or wholesome foods and meal choices may not be readily available.
Childhood obesity ranks as the top chronic disease affecting American kids and teens today. Carrying significant excess weight during developmental years doesn’t just affect a child’s health today — it vastly increases their risk of developing serious chronic medical conditions when they grow up.
Long-term health effects of childhood obesity include a greater risk of developing:
Children and teens who develop Type 2 diabetes have a greater risk of developing heart and kidney disease later in life. Childhood obesity also affects bone and joint health, increasing the likelihood of osteoarthritis-related joint damage earlier in adulthood.
Having childhood obesity also creates an inflammatory environment in the body that appears to restrain the immune system’s ability to defend against cancer later in life. Studies show that a high BMI in childhood may increase the risk of leukemia as well as breast and colon cancers in adulthood.
The health effects of childhood obesity aren’t just physical; they’re mental and emotional, too. Kids with obesity are more likely to experience low self-esteem, depression, social anxiety, and a lower quality of life compared to peers of a healthier weight — and these mental health risks tend to persist into adulthood.
Children and teens with obesity are more likely to have obesity as adults; simply put, early weight gain sets the stage for lifelong weight and health challenges in 55%-80% of cases.
Obesity is a major risk factor for four leading causes of death in the US, including heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, and cancer. What’s more, obesity contributes to over 300,000 premature deaths among Americans every year.
Luckily, childhood obesity can be reversed — and its associated long-term effects avoided — with the right approach. This means establishing healthy eating patterns, finding ways to stay active, reducing screen time, and improving nightly sleep.
Such lifestyle changes can go a long way in promoting a healthier weight for children of all ages. Even better, kids who successfully reverse obesity go on to have health outcomes that are similar to those who never had early obesity.
Worried about your child’s weight? We’re here to help. Call or click online to schedule a visit at Laurel Pediatrics & Teen Medical Center in Bel Air, Maryland, today.
