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Alert - The leader of a study on childhood obesity and professor at Duke University, Asheley Skinner, says that the jump in cases of obesity in children aged two to five (9% to 14%) is alarming. Skinner said they were the highest rates of obesity for that age group since the study began in 1999.

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Worry - According to Skinner, obesity is even more serious at a young age. She explained that the earlier a person becomes obese, the more likely it is that they remain obese into adulthood.

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Action - The facts presented mentioned that efforts to warn the American population had a positive impact over the years but haven't been enough to curb the growth of cases.

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Progress - The study stated that campaigns to combat obesity, such as former First Lady Michelle Obama's 'Let's Move' campaign, and the recognition of obesity as an illness by the American Academy of Pediatrics were steps in the right direction.

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Methodology - For the study, Skinner's team examined data from American national health and nutrition surveys, analyzing children's height and weight statistics from 1999 until 2016.

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Results - In the beginning, around 29% of children were overweight and another 20% obese. But by the end of the study, numbers showed around 35% of children were overweight and another 26% were obese.

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Most effected -

The study showed that white American and Asian-American children had significantly lower obesity rates than other groups, such as African Americans and Hispanic Americans.

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World - In October 2017, the WHO had already warned of the alarming figure of 124 million obese children and teenagers.

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Trend - According to Majid Ezzati, the study leader, 90% of cases can be explained by modern changes in diet and lifestyle.

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Comparison - 40 years ago the rate of childhood obesity was 1 in 100. Today the average rate is 6 in 100 in the case of girls, and 8 in 100 for boys.

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Comparison - The WHO survey notes that population growth accounts for 10% of that growth.

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Omnipresent - Childhood obesity is present in developed countries as well as developing countries. According to the WHO, this rise is global, but is more prevalent in nations with low and middle incomes.

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Poor diet - One of the main reasons the WHO cites is lack of exercise and bad diet.

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Advertising - This low nutritional diet is caused in part by advertising of sugary food, and high prices of healthy food.

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Urgent appeal -

In 2016, the WHO appealed to governments around the world to tax drinks with high sugar content as a way of combating obesity and other problems.

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Consumption - The WHO estimates that a fiscal policy to raise the price of sugary drinks by at least 20% would result in a reduction of consumption of these products.

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Recommendation - To reverse the trend, the WHO insists that health authorities should better inform people about healthy eating. For exampling, encouraging them to eat fruit and vegetables.

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Recommendation - Another suggestion is to choose wholegrain foods instead of processed foods. Avoid biscuits, cookies, and microwave meals, which are high in sugar, sodium, and fat.

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Recommendation - Reducing how often you eat out is also recommended, especially when it's in fast food restaurants.

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Recommendation - Serve proportional meal sizes. Children should be eating far less than an adult. If your child won't eat a full plate, don't force them.

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Recommendation - As well as burning calories, physical exercise strengthens muscles and bones, improves mood, and helps with fatigue. Physical exercise can be organized (team sports, or dance class, for example) or as easy as going to play in the park.

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Recommendation - The WHO also wants governments to urge mothers to breastfeed only for the first six months, and that schools should serve healthy meals.

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Other factors -

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) added that use of medication and sleep patterns should be taken into account.

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Medication - For serious cases of childhood obesity related with other conditions, medication can be prescribed. But these treatments should never substitute healthy habits.

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Medication - Pharmacological treatment is only recommended for young people with disorders like thyroid problems or high cholesterol.

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Immediate risks -

Childhood obesity can effect the body in many ways. The CDC warns that overweight children are more vulnerable to high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which can lead to cardiovascular disease.

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Immediate risks -

The CDC also warns that obese kids may display breathing problems like asthma or sleep apnea.

Kids can develop problems later on such as muscular discomfort as well as liver problems, gallstones, and heartburn.

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Immediate risks -

The CDC also notes the psychological side. Overweight children are more vulnerable to anxiety and depression.

They are also more vulnerable to low self-esteem as well as bullying and other problems.

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Future risks -

Adulthood obesity is linked to numerous serious illnesses, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer, according to the CDC.

Sources: (WHO) (PBS)

See also: How to strengthen your immune system

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