The Rising Trend of Obesity in Our Youth
A story outlined in the Washington Post recently outlined the health travesty awaiting our country in just one generation. With one in three children now overweight or obese, the clock is ticking on irreversible health consequences. Doctors are seeing children in elementary schools with gallstones, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.
Among those children in the 6 – 9 age groups, obesity has tripled in an unprecedented growth of girth. Because studies indicate that these children will probably not outgrow their weight problems, up to 80% of obese teens will go on to be obese adults. Experts are now fearing an exponential explosion of cardiovascular disease, adult diabetes, stroke, cancer and other obesity – associated health conditions.
This could be the generation with the shortest lifespan according to some experts. An analysis done in 2005 showed a forecast of a two to five year drop in life expectancy unless aggressive actions are taken to reverse this obesity trend. Since then, America has only gotten fatter.
This epidemic of obesity is expected to cost the nation billions of dollars in health care bills. Treating a child with obesity is three times more costly than treating a child without obesity. The overall expense of care is estimated to be $14 billion dollars annually.
About the Author
Kathy Shattler received her Master of Science degree from Michigan State University in E. Lansing Michigan in Human Nutrition. Her twenty-two years of practice includes holding positions as a Lecturer, Chief Clinical Dietitian and Program Manager. Kathy is the Founder of Nutri-Care Consulting and is currently the Nutrition Director of www.CEU4U.COM, an online continuing education management company for Registered Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians.
