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Childhood Obesity Background

The Obesity Problem Facing Children in the United States

• In 2000, more than 15 percent of children ages 6 to 19 were obese, a number that has nearly tripled since 1976.
• Children who are overweight or obese are at greater risk for high cholesterol and high blood pressure.


• Type 2 diabetes, previously considered an adult disease, has increased dramatically in children and adolescents. Children who are overweight and obesity are closely linked to type 2 diabetes.


• Overweight adolescents have a 70 percent chance of becoming overweight or obese adults, or an 80 percent chance if one or more parent is overweight or obese. Overweight or obese adults are at risk for a number of health problems, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and some forms of cancer.


• Most children believe the most immediate consequence of being overweight is social discrimination, thus fueling the numbers who deal with poor self-esteem and depression.

Obesity Rates in California

• The prevalence of overweight children in California is higher than the national average.


• Among California?s 58 counties, Sacramento ranks third in the prevalence of overweight among children ages 6-11 (32.3%).


• Researchers and health officials state that if trends associated with being overweight and obese continue, this generation of children will be the first to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents.

The Causes of Obesity

• Trends contributing to overweight children and adolescents are lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating patterns, or a combination of the two. Genetics and lifestyle both play important roles in determining a child's weight.


• Our society has become very sedentary. Television, computers and video games contribute to children's inactive lifestyles.


• Children, especially girls, become less active as they move through adolescence.