America has a growing problem, and it involves its children—namely, our children are becoming obese at increasing rates. This explosion in obesity has been traced to what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) call a “caloric imbalance”—namely, kids are eating more calories than they’re spending.
Genetic and environmental factors also weigh into the equation, notes the CDC. One thing’s for sure, obesity at any age is not ideal for optimal health, as it can raise the risk of cardiovascular diseases or prediabetes. It’s also attached to social and psychological problems due to body issues and self-esteem. Here are seven stats about youth obesity in North America, in time for Childhood Obesity Awareness Month in September…
1. The Problem is Getting Bigger
The CDC notes that childhood obesity “has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years,” which are both alarming figures. These numbers were measured with children as young as 6-years old to 11, and adolescents/teens aged 12 to 19.
To be more specific, the 6-11 age group went from 7-percent obesity in 1980 to 18-percent in 2012, while the 12-19 age group went from 5-percent to 21-percent during the same period. The source adds that in 2012, more than 1-third of children and adolescents in the U.S. had a weight problem.