Revealed: Childhood Obesity - Alarming Facts and Figures

An Australian government health site provides the following Childhood Obesity facts:

• Between 1985 to 1995, the number of overweight and obese Australian children has doubled, and the overall number of overweight and obese Australians has tripled.
• The increase in the rates of obesity in children worldwide has increased to such an extent that researchers are treating childhood obesity as an epidemic.

Childhood Obesity Facts and Figures

As per childhood obesity facts presented by American Obesity Association:

• About 30% of children and teenagers are overweight and out them about half are obese.
• Approximately nine million children over six years of age are considered obese
• There are 79% chances of persistence of overweight into adulthood, if one of the parents is also overweight or obese.

Recently revealed childhood obesity facts and figures by The National Institutes of Health:

• Percentage of overweight and obese children in the United States is highest as compared to that in other developed nations.
• In the U.S., 12.6% boys of 13 years of age are overweight.
• In case of girls, 10.8% girls of 13 years of age are overweight.
• And for 15 year olds, this number is much more: 13.9% -boys, 15.1%-girls.

As per childhood obesity facts given by National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, an estimated 61% of overweight young people have at least one additional risk factor for heart disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure.

Childhood obesity facts may sound scary, but there is something parents can do if they have a child who is overweight or obese. First, parents need to educate themselves a little on the dangers of childhood obesity. Some of the major dangers include low self-esteem and depression. Parents should be cautious if they see any such danger and in no way should panic, seeing all these childhood obesity facts.