By:

Obesity in Children is on the Rise

Why are children in the United States struggling with obesity?

Hypothesis

:Children are obese possibly for these reasons:

Lack of knowledge about nutritionIncrease in technology (ex: Video games, T.V., Computer)Lack of exerciseOver abundance of junk food (especially in schools)

1971–1974 1976–1980 1988–1994 2003–20040%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

16%

18%

20%

Prevalence of Overweight Among U.S. Children and Adolescents

Ages 2 through 5 Ages 6 through 11 Ages 12 through 19

Year

Perc

enta

ge

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/childhood/prevalence.htm

Increase in the Percentage of Overweight Adolescents from

1971-2004

Percentage Increase: (new-

old)/old

We are comparing the difference between 1971 and 2004 in obesity percentages.

Ages 2-5: (13.9-5)/5= 178% increase in obesity

Ages 6-11: (18.8-4)/4= 370% increase in obesity

Ages 12-19: (17.4-6.1)/6.1= 185.2% increase in obesity

Lack of Knowledge about Nutrition

Most kids love McDonalds… BUT are they aware of what type of nutrition (or lack of) they are consuming?

Lack of Knowledge about Nutrition

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250 300 230 190

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McDonalds Food Calorie Intake

Most popular Menu Items

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Source: http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/nutritionexchange/nutrition_facts.html

The Effects of Technology

7%

20%

24%17%

21%

10%

Hours of T.V. watched per Day in 2004 by Children 18 and

Under 0 hoursless than 1 hour2 hours3 hours4-5 hours6-20 hours

Source: http://www.chis.ucla.edu

The Effects of TechnologyHours of TV watched per day is related to

obesity rates because it takes away from exercise and playing outside games.

The increase of technology and increase of more cable TV programs, has increased the numbers of more TV watching.

The highest percent (25%) of all children under 18, watches at least 2 hours a day. The lowest percent (7%) are the ones that watch no TV.

Lack of exerciseChildren are less likely to exercise, and play

outside games Children are more likely to play the newest

video game Isn’t this pretty concerning?

OR

Over abundance of junk foodThere is an overabundance of junk food

in schoolsSchools are promoting junk food by

making it too easily accessible Over abundance of junk food in schools

contributes towards obesity

This is the Current Obesity Situation

0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.50%

5%

10%

15%

20%

f(x) = 0.0492 x − 0.0215R² = 0.95083667216592

Prevalence of Overweight US Children

Ages 6-11 from 1971-2004

Perc

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e

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/childhood/prevalence.htm

Our Prediction…If nothing is done about the obesity

dilemma then this is our prediction for the future:

0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.50%

5%

10%

15%

20%f(x) = 0.0492 x − 0.0215R² = 0.95083667216592

Prevalence of Overweight US Children

Ages 6-11 from 1971-2008

Perc

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Source: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/childhood/prevalence.htm

Explanation: This graph shows how obesity rates in children ages 6-

11 are growing over the years. Even though there are only 4 data points the r-squared

value is very close to one so the data is linear and a prediction would be pretty close to accurate.

The data covers ages 6-11, the prime ages where obesity occurs.

In 2003-2004 the obesity rate climbed to almost 20%. We did not need to add a localized trend line because

there are no outliers and the linear relationship is strong.

y=0.0492(8)-0.0215 =37% We have faith in this prediction because it is within

four years and the r-squared value is very close to one. Therefore there is a strong relationship.

An Interesting Fact to Point Out!

Source: "Copyright United Health Foundation. All rights reserved."

An Interesting Fact…The map on the prior slide shows the

percent of population in each state that is obese. The highest rate being 28% of all people in that state are overweight. The majority of states lay in the category of 22%-25% which is almost a quarter of the state’s population. Alabama has 28.4% of its total population affected.

Conclusion: Lets Promote a Healthy Lifestyle

The children in the United States are obese and will continue to be obese if they fail to acknowledge these facts.

Parents should educate their children about nutrition.

Parents and schools should limit junk food

Parents should encourage playing outside games

Parents should limit the hours of TV watching

Any questions?