It is no longer a general and invisible "threat" but a reality that concerns not only children but also parents, societies, and each state (economically and in terms of healthcare). As long as we do not find a solution, it will perpetuate itself and will also concern future generations, stigmatizing them, on a psychological level and in terms of quality of life.
Statistics and financial data
Globally, the prevalence of childhood obesity increased by 244% between 1990 and 2021. Obesity in these age groups is projected to increase by a further 120,7% between 2021 and 2050. In absolute terms, in 1990 there were approximately 198 million obese children, while after 2021 their number increased to 493 million. If nothing changes immediately, then by 2050 the number of obese children and adolescents on our planet will number approximately 746 million. Finally, by 2030 the expected incidence of obesity in children is estimated at 34,5% for boys and 27,5% for girls.
Regarding the US, between 2021 and 2023, obesity among children aged 2 to 19 increased by approximately 20%. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Treating the complications of obesity is costly. Specifically, an obese 10-year-old child is likely to incur up to $20.000 more in healthcare costs over their lifetime compared to a child of normal weight.
According to the World Obesity Organization (World Obesity Federation), if current trends continue, the global cost of obesity is expected to reach $4,3 trillion annually by 2035—nearly 3% of GDP—rivaling the economic impact of the 2020 COVID-19 coronavirus.
Reasons for obesity
There is not just one. We mainly focus on the first years of life, where the foundations for proper nutrition are formed. Lack of physical exercise, frequent consumption of meals outside the home, poor dietary choices, low quality/quantity of sleep, non-compliance of parents and other guardians with proper nutrition, the existence of many goods in supermarkets without the appropriate knowledge to choose from, stress, all of these together constitute the most popular factors in the appearance of childhood obesity, plus of course heredity.
Effects of childhood and adolescent obesity
Childhood obesity increases the likelihood of developing chronic diseases—such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal problems, and some cancers—that can manifest earlier and more severely in life. At the onset of puberty, obesity causes problems in both sexes, with polycystic ovary syndrome being the most common in girls, while it also delays growth. The psychological impact and verbal/physical abuse on obese individuals at these ages are also severe, as is the occurrence of depression.
Solutions
The next 5 years (2025–30) are particularly critical for decision-makers to address this situation. National surveillance of obesity in children and adolescents is urgently needed, as this will allow prioritization of government investments and health system responses, especially those that address the systemic factors of obesity. Until this is done in the form of a chronic campaign/education at the national level, collaboration with the health scientist called a “dietitian” is mandatory for every family, one-way, without entering the process of defining a weight loss schedule and focusing on that. But, learning a proper diet. To feel well-being, to learn about the importance of what we choose to eat and to develop properly through sound, natural and non-pharmaceutical choices (for which we still do not know the long-term effects on their development). Which will not only concern the obese child(ren) but the family as a whole, knowing that a child who remains obese until the end of his/her development has an 80% chance of remaining obese for the rest of his/her life.
photo by stevepb, https://pixabay.com
