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Over 64% of Americans today are either mildly, moderately,
or morbidly obese in the United States. That means that 16%
of the children in America are either obese, or at severe
risk of becoming obese. To some, that means "good, maybe
now I'll fit in". That is very dangerous thinking.
In Utah 10% of Utahns are overweight. In 2003, however that
number doubled to now almost 20%. | Back to Top |
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| In Utah, obesity affects 1 out of
every 4 children. |
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These children would fill 124 elementary schools to the brim.To
bring the epidemic even closer to home, it means these children
would occupy 2,067 elementary school classrooms in our state.
The United State Maps on the right give a visual representation
of the Obesity Epidemic in Utah, as well as the rest of the
United States.
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Obesity by State 1986
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| In the early 1980's less than 10%
of Americans |
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were obese. Obesity began to grow in the United States during
the later part of the 1980's. Ten percent of the population
were beginning to become obese, and more and more people were
beginning to stay that way. Heart disease was beginning to
rise, and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) began to study
rates of obesity in children.
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Obesity by State 1987 |
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= No obesity data. As the end of the 19th century approached,
you can see on the maps to the right, more and more states
were beginning to see a rise in moderate obesity in adults
and children. As the maps show, the trend begins to become
more serious. | Back to Top |
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Obesity by State 1988 |
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Less than 10% obesity. The next three years show dramatic
change.
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10% to 14% obesity. During the next two years, the obesity state
rates remained constant. In other words, those who were obese
tended to remain that way, however the CDC was becoming more
alarmed as childhood obesity rates began to increase.
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Obesity by State 1989 |
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TheAmerican Academics of Pediatric health study in 1990 documented:
 More
than 25% of U. S. children watch television 4-6 hours per day.
More than 20% of U.S. children's physical activity dropped to
less than 2 times per week.
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Obesity by State 1990 |
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More than 50% of U. S. children have a television in their bedroom.
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= 15% to 19% obesity. In 1992, the obesity epidemic began
to take hold. Four states were now reporting 15 to 19% of
the population was obese.
In 1992 a
study by the American
Heart Association showed a dramatic change in advertising
from 1976 to 1991-1992 in fast food. In earlier years, it
was the "food" itself which was highly marketed.
In 1992, however the shift went from the food to enticing
familes to come inside the "fun" establishments
and
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Obesity Epidemic 1991 |
| "super-size"
kid meals. By the end of 1992, fast food chains all over the
county began "supersizing" kids meals. |
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In 1992, Utah reported to the CDC 10 to 14% of the population
were obese. This rate stayed constant until the mid 1990's
when public health officials saw a dramatic increase in obesity
in Utah.
| Back to Top |
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Obesity Epidemic 1992 |
What's causing this
epidemic in Utah's kids?
Experts have defined some reasons: |
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Television, computer games, internet surfing and similar behaviors
have taken the place of bike riding, roller blading, shooting
baskets, and other after school activities.
Overworked
and exhausted parents, long commutes to and from work, and
stress have made it simplier to bring fast food home instead
of cooking balanced meals.
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Obesity Epidemic 1993 |
| Today's children are more inactive
than at any time in history. |
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A decline in after school programs, physical education, and
an increase in "latch key" children.
Eating habits have changed drastically. Supersizing, school
vending machines, and the quick availability of high calorie
fattening foods have made a dramatic impact on the eating habits
of children. Adult supervision is not as available to children. |
Obesity Epidemic 1994 |
| Overweight
or obese parents. Children of obese parents are at a high risk
of becoming obese. |
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Fruits
and vegetables, although plentiful, have become too costly
for some families.
Healthy
foods are strategically placed along the perimiter of the
grocery store, while high calorie "easy fixes" are
right in front of the store or in the center aisle, making
it easier than ever to purchase unhealthy meals. | Back to Top |
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Obesity Epidemic 1995 |
| In addition, sugary sodas and soft
drinks which are exceptionally high in calories are marketed
to children and adolescents. |
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Overweight children are often shunned by their thinner classmates.
When self esteem is lowered, high calorie foods offer instant
gratification and may begin an abnormal eating pattern.
Eating disorders most often take hold in the adolescent population.
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Obesity Epidemic 1996 |
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Extreme pressure to "fit in". As these pressures increase,
many children become isolated. |
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Television,
radio, magazines, and other media are full of advertisements
for easily accessible high calorie foods.
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More than 20% obese. States are now beginning to see an additional
increase in obesity in the eastern region. |
Obesity Epidemic 1997 |
| Obesity has been described by the
World Health Organization as an "escalating epidemic".
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It's also "one of the greatest
neglected public health problems of our time with an impact
on health which may prove to be as great as smoking." (Consultation
on Obesity, Geneva Switzerland, World Health Organization, June
3-5, 1997).
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Obesity Epidemic 1998 |
| Utah's obesity rate increased again
in 1998. Data showed almost 20% of Utahn's were obese. |
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The CDC
published new data about childhood obesity in 1999.
Among children and teens ages 6-19, 16 percent (over 9 million)
are overweight according to the 1999-2002 data, or triple
what the proportion was in 1980.
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Obesity Epidemic 1999 |
| In addition, the
data show that 30 percent of adults 20 years of age and
over – over 60 million people --were obese at the end of
the century. |
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Results from the 1999-2002 National
Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), indicate
that an estimated 16 percent of children and adolescents ages
6-19 years are overweight. This represents a 45 percent increase
from 1988-1994.
These rates are TRIPLE what they were in 1980. |
Obesity Epidemic 2000 |
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More than 25% obesity. In 1997 three states fit this critera.
By 2004 over 24 states, including Alaska, fit this criteria.
So, what can parents and caregivers do to help reverse this
childhood obesity epidemic? The Mayo
Clinic has some advice:
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Obesity Epidemic 2001 |
Be a positive role model. Children copy what they see their
parents or caregivers do. |
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Keep an eye open for developing lifestyle habits which may contribute
to obesity later in your childs life (inactivity, withdrawing
from friends, too much TV, overeating, etc).
Learn all you can about nutrition and healthy eating. Find ways
to reduce fat and calories in favorite meals. | Back to Top | |
Obesity Epidemic 2002 |
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Learn how to substitute unsweetened applesauce, fruit purees,
even beans in recipes instead of liquid or solid fats. |
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Find ways to keep your family active. After dinner walks, scavengar
hunts, playing in the sprinklers, and even playing outside with
the family pet all count as activities.
Make new family rules: no food or sugary drinks in the bedroom,
eating in the kitchen only, and eating together as a family. |
Obesity Epidemic 2003 |
| This will help you really tap into
your child's eating habits. Remember, rules have to be set for ALL
the family, even parents. |
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