The Growing Problem of Childhood Obesity

With childhood obesity starting at ever-younger ages, it's never too soon to educate kids about a healthy diet. Learn about creating an obesity-fighting diet for your children at home and at school. Childhood obesity is a growing problem. Figuring out how to help your children eat a healthy diet and avoid obesity may be challenging, especially in the face of favorite high-calorie snacks, finger foods, and sugary drinks. But the stakes are high: A recent study of 3,098 children between 3 and 6 years old showed that excess weight causes an increase in heart disease risk factors even in toddlerhood.

“Obesity has increased from 5 percent in the 1970s to 12.4 percent today in preschoolers ages 2 to 5. In children ages 6 to 11, it went from 4 percent to 17 percent and the 12- to 19-year-olds, from 6 to 17.6 percent,” says Leah Holbrook MS, RD, clinical instructor of family medicine and Heart Links project coordinator for the department of family medicine at SUNY Stony Brook in Stony Brook, N.Y.

It’s never too soon to stress healthy eating — recent research suggests that the trend toward obesity may begin as early as the first six months of life.

Childhood Obesity: Helping Children Lose Weight at Home

You may be tempted to turn to popular commercial diets for guidance, but Holbrook advises caution. Children and teens are still growing, so the calorie or nutrition restrictions in commercial adult diets may not be good options for younger bodies, Holbrook says. A guide to healthy diets can be found at the USDA’s My Pyramid for Kids. But if you are not sure how to apply those ideas, Holbrook advises talking to your doctor.

Holbrook offers these tips to help fight childhood obesity:

Toss the sweet drinks. Sugary drinks such as soda, sweet tea, juice, and sweetened milk are a major source of unnecessary calories in the diet. Offer plain, low-fat milk or water instead.

Eat at home more. “When you eat out, you almost always get more calories and fat than if you eat at home,” says Holbrook, who adds that there is also a lot of value in spending time together making and eating meals.

Exercise together. A family walk, bike ride, or romp in the park can help set a healthy tone for everyone. Children should have an hour of physical activity a day, says Holbrook.

Talk to kids about healthy food choices. Educate your children about healthy diet issues such as correct portion sizes and why whole-grain crackers, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy snacks are better than cookies, candy bars, or potato chips — and follow through by keeping these healthy snacks available at home.

Consider other family issues. If you are struggling with stress and parenting overall, you may need to ask for help. A recent study of 2,400 toddlers and their mothers showed a 50 percent greater risk of obesity among children whose mothers who said they were often too overwhelmed to express love or make sure their child got necessary medical care.

Childhood Obesity: Helping Children Lose Weight at School

It is equally important for parents to make their concerns known at the school or daycare facility where their children eat one or more meals, plus snacks, every day. Policy changes that require healthier foods in the cafeteria and vending machines at these locations have been shown to help children control their weight, according to Holbrook.

“Parents are really integral in making these policies work. If they are not supportive of these policies, the school districts won’t pursue them. And as long as the adults are on board, the kids don’t seem to mind,” says Holbrook.

If your school system or daycare provider is slow to change, you may have to work with your child to create healthy, filling brown-bag lunch and snack options for them to take to school. But with information and support, you and your children can fight obesity.

By Madeline Vann, MPH
Medically reviewed by Christine Wilmsen Craig, MD