Why it Matters
In the US today, 33% of all children and teens, or one out of every three children, are overweight or obese.
While overweight is a cause for awareness, obesity, with its potential health implications, is cause for concern. In Harford County, 10.7% of our young people are obese (BMI>= 30). Even more concerning, is that fact that while the State rate for youth obesity is improving, the rate in Harford County is actually worsening.
So, why is childhood obesity a concern?
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for:
- cardiovascular disease (such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, prediabetes)
- bone and joint problems
- sleep apnea
- social and psychological problems (such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem)
Children and adolescents who are obese are likely to be obese as adults and are therefore more at risk for the following adult health problems:
- heart disease
- type 2 diabetes
- stroke
- several types of cancer
- osteoarthritis
Overweight and obesity are also associated with increased risk for many types of cancer, including:
- breast cancer
- colon cancer
- cancer of the endometrium
- cancer of the esophagus
- kidney cancer
- pancreatic cancer
- gall bladder cancer
- thyroid cancer
- ovarian cancer
- cervical cancer
- prostate cancer
- multiple myeloma
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma
The best news though, is that through early interventions such as access to healthy food, increased physical activity, and more walkable/bikeable communities, these health risks can be remedied.