Obesity is a term that is

used a lot in todays media.

While most everybody has
heard this term, not every-
body completely under-
stands it. Obesity is de-
scribed by having an in-
creased fatty deposition in
the human body. This fat is
to a degree at which it is a
risk to the health of the
human. This can lead to
increased body weight, and
a number of health related
issues. Over the past thir-
ty years, obesity has nearly
tripled in children in this
country. This has caused
many pushes by the govern-
ment and schools for fami-
lies and children to modify
how they are living.
Being obese is different
than being overweight.
Children who are obese
have an excess of body fat.
Overweight children have a
weight that is higher than
normal when considering
their age and height. Being
obese is more concerning
than being overweight.
What is Childhood Obesity?
3/3/14
Volume 3 Issue 15
Childhood Obesity
Dr. Wieses
Weekly
Come with us and explore
childhood obesity and what we
can do to fight back!
Due to the increase in childhood obe-
sity, there has been an increase in
concern for the health of our chil-
dren. Obesity is one of the most se-
rious risks to the public health. This
health risk is not only prevalent in the
United States. The 2002 World
Health Report lists overweight as the
fifth most serious risk factor for
both developed countries and low
mortality developing countries. This
worldwide phenomenon is causing con-
cern throughout the world.

Page 2 Childhood Obesity
Why is Childhood Obesity a problem?

Development of metabolic syn-
drome
Cardiovascular diseases
Hypertension
Occurrence of diabetes mellitus
Respiratory, orthopedic and psy-
chological problems , including:
Stress
low self-esteem
social isolation
Depression
Childhood obesity, gone un-
treated can cause a number
of long term effects for
those involved. Obesity in
children is a predisposing
factor for that child to be-
come obese as they reach
adulthood. In addition to
that, obesity can cause:
What Are The Long Term Effects Of Childhood Obesity?
The percentage of children aged
611 years in the United States
who were obese increased from
7% in 1980 to nearly 18% in
2012
The percentage of adolescents
aged 1219 years who were
obese increased from 5% to
nearly 21% over the same
period.
Go to this website to calculate
your child or teens BMI
percentile: http://
apps.nccd.cdc.gov/dnpabmi/
Because children spend most of their
day in schools, changes in lifestyle to
prevent obesity should start in the
schools.
Check your childs physical education
program. It should encourage your
child to actively move, regardless of
skill/athletic ability. Their physical
education program should also teach
about a healthy lifestyle.
Check your schools vending machines.
Most schools serve unhealthy, non
perishable foods, such as chips and
candy. Encourage your child to avoid
using the vending machine at school,
or ask your school to have low cost,
healthy alternatives to these snacks
such as fruits and vegetables.
Check to see if there are any commit-
tees for parents or community mem-
bers to recommend physical activities
and nutrition standards in your childs
school. This can help monitor your
schools active initiative to fight
childhood obesity.
Check your childs school for infor-
mation that encourages healthy eat-
ing habits, especially in the cafeteria
where students are making most of
their eating choices.
this, which can lead to some health
risks.
Encourage your children to be
healthy. Actively move! Take the
stairs when possible, rather than the
elevator. Walk to your errands when
possible. Eliminate unhealthy snacks
from your home, and encourage your
children to eat fruits and vegetables.
Joining an after school group that
encourages movement will promote a
healthy lifestyle. Check your commu-
nity for sports teams or dance clas-
ses to keep your child active.
Increasing levels of physical activity
and altering nutritional intake is the
most effective strategies toward
reversing childhood obesity rates.
Your children see you as their role
model. If you model
a healthy lifestyle,
they should actively
try and duplicate
that. On the other
hand, if you lead an
unhealthy lifestyle,
your children are
more likely to mimic
Volume 3 Issue 15
How Can We Prevent This In Schools?
How Can We Prevent This At Home?
Page 3
You are your
childs role
model.
Practice
responsible and
healthy
choices.
Try to eat a rainbow everyday:
tomatoes, watermelon, guava
carrots, yams, sweet potatoes, mangoes, pumpkins
oranges, lemons, grapefruits, papayas, peaches
garlic, onions, chives, asparagus
broccoli, Brussels, sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower
spinach, kale, collards and greens
blueberries, purple grapes
grapes, berries, plums
whole grains, legumes, potatoes

Make meals ahead of time and freeze them so they are ready when you
need them!
Talk with your children about healthy alternatives to the junk food that
they are currently eating:
candy bar -> celery sticks, natural peanut butter and raisins
Ice cream -> yogurt popsicles
Cookies -> granola bars

Volume 3 Issue 15
Fun Tips For Eating Healthy At Home!
Page 4
Studies show statistically significant relationships between fitness and academic
achievement, though the direction of causation is not known. While more research is
required, promoting fitness by increasing opportunities for physical activity during PE,
recess, and out of school time may support academic achievement.
Southfield Pediatric Physicians, PC
31500 Telegraph Rd #105
Bingham Farms, MI 48025
Dr. Wieses Weekly
Koukourikos, K., Lavdaniti, M., & Avramika, M. (2013). An overview on childhood obesity. Progress In Health Sciences, 3
(1), 128-133.

Amis, J., Wright, P., Dyson, B., Vardaman, J., & Ferry, H. (2012). Implementing Childhood Obesity Policy in a New
Educational Environment: The Cases of Mississippi and Tennessee. American Journal Of Public Health, 102(7),
1406-1413.

Phillips, M., Raczynski, J., West, D., Pulley, L., Bursac, Z., & Leviton, L. (2013). The Evaluation of Arkansas Act 1220 of
2003 to Reduce Childhood Obesity: Conceptualization, Design, and Special Challenges. American Journal Of
Community Psychology,51(1/2), 289-298.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 Sept. 2012. Web. 09
June 2014.

Pictures:
http://www.uams.edu/coph/reports/2004Act12202003Y1Eval.pdf
http://photo.elsoar.com/wp-content/images/Cute-School-Children-Photo-5.jpg
http://sweetclipart.com/multisite/sweetclipart/files/doctors_stethoscope_with_heart.png
Phone: (248) 540-8700
E-mail: southfieldMD@gmail.com
Sources:
Caring for your children like they
were our own
ChooseMyPlate.gov
Use this website to learn about how to eat
healthily. Learn about food groups, use the
diet tracker, and play fun nutrition games!
FuelUpToPlay60.com
Learn about ways to stay active and healthy
with your child! Use these resources to fuel up
and help your son or daughter be active for 60
minutes a day
Resources For You At Home: