Causes of child hood obesity Cultural influences Environmental factors Low socioeconomic status Low level of education Sedentary

ntary activity

A BMI between the 85th-94th percentile is considered overweight A BMI equal to or above the 95th percentile is considered obese approximately one third of all U.S. children are considered either overweight or obese (Ogden et.al. 131) 1 in 10 children are overweight and for a world wide total of 155 million. Around 30-45 million children are classified as obese (Lobstein, Baur and Uvuay 131)

 35% 30-34.9% 25-29.9% 20-24.9% 15-19.9% 10-14.9% 5-9.9% 0-4.9% 35% 30-34.9% 25-29.9% 20-24.9% 15-19.9% 10-14.9% 5-9.9% 0-4.9%

FIGURE2 (a) Percentage of male children meeting criteria for overweight by country. (b) Percentage of female children meeting criteria for overweight by country. Data source: International Task Obesity Task Force (2009), except for Russia (Wang et al., 2002) and Israel and Lithuania (Lissau et al., 2004). BMI percentile calculated for most countries, including the United States, using IOTF cut offs (Cole et al., 2000).

62.4 of overweight or obese children being incorrectly perceived as having normal weight (Aljunaibi et.al. 1) Mothers who smoke or gain too much weight during pregnancy are more likely to have overweight children Parents are not educating their children about healthy lifestyles

Stress and depression Compulsive eating due to stress Media influence promoting high calorie foods Lack of sleep (less than eight hours) or interrupted sleep Lack of recreational facilities available Accessibility to healthy food

Large portioned meals Genetic disorder Poor choice availability from vending machines Computer, electronics and T.V. use

Diabetes, insulin resistance Nonalcoholic fatty liver syndrome Cancer High cholesterol, cardiovascular disease Hypertension Dyslipidemia (abnormal lipid or lipoprotein in the blood)

Obese individuals spend about 42% more on health care costs than others Psychological counseling Prescriptions such as Phentermine or Xenical Bariatric surgery Nutrition counseling Higher premiums

Studies conducted to prevent obesity Discriminatory hiring Government programs such as the Department of Health and Human Services

Primary care providers can keep track of BMIs starting at birth The parents should be given nutrition counseling Parents can be an active role model Parents and children can join recreation centers Community and church involvement, they usually have free programs available Parents can limit recreational screen time to less than two hours a day (including their own)

Family meals should be often and routine Portion control Foods need to be satiating as well as nutritious All food labels need to be read Parents need to participate in outdoor activities with their children

Close and safe access to parks and recreational facilities should be available Schools can change their vending machine options as well as their lunch program Nutrition counseling should be available at the school Nutrition classes should be offered to the students Children need to be educated about their own health and nutrition

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