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Most Americans and parents will agree that child obesity rates are on the rise, but does anyone really understand the facts behind this new national epidemic?

FACT: pediatric obesity rates have tripled.
While adults obesity rates have doubled over the past 25 years, obesity rates in children have over tripled. The Centers for Disease Control report that rates for the age range of 2-5 years has gone from 5.0%

to 13.9%, for those aged 611 the rate has increased from 6.5% to 18.8% and for those between the ages of 12 and 19 obesity rates increased from 5.0% to 17.4%.

FACT: obese children are likely to become obese adults.
One study has shown that 25% of obese adults were obese as children, and that 80% of today's obese children will be obese as 25-year-old adults. This shows a startling trend towards an obesity bell curve. (For more information, refer to the article, "The facts about obesity in American adults.")

FACT: technology is related to childhood obesity.
The main source of entertainment for kids used to be playing with rocks and sticks. A new trend towards electronic toys for the entire family has created a more sedentary lifestyle. However, a happy medium can be reached between techie toys and healthy, active play.

FACT: obesity can disrupt a child's education.
Low self-esteem and preoccupation with weight can affect a child's ability to perform in school. This can cause poor study habits which carry on throughout high school, college, and the workforce.

FACT: obesity can affect a child's emotional wellbeing.
Kids can be mean as it is; cruelty is only made worse by the opportunity of an overweight classmate. Overweight children show signs of depression and withdrawal from social groups.

FACT: obese children suffer more medical complications.
A study by the Journal of Pediatric Surgery found that obese children suffer up to twice as many illness, surgery, and trauma complications as non-obese peers. Obesity can also hamper the body's ability to fight infection and recover from injuries and general childhood illness.

FACT: obese children can suffer permanent musculoskeletal damage.
The extra weight a short, developing child carries on her body can cause an overload of stress on the muscles, joints, and long bones of her body. The worst effects include becoming bowlegged, suffering chronic knee and ankle pain, creating hip misalignment (slipped upper femoral epiphyses), and permanent damage to the foot structures.

FACT: obesity in childhood

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