Obesity and ChildrenLove and Respect
Acceptance and FunBy: Candance Gabel, M.S. R.D.L.D.
“Overweight” = BMI > 95th percentile
“At risk for Overweight” = BMI > 85th percentile but < 95th
percentile
What Causes Obesity?•Genetics•Familial Factors•Socio-demographic Factors•Dietary Factors•Physical Activity and Sedentary Activity•Psychological Factors
Medical Reasons
• Hypothyroidism• Cushing’s Syndrome• Prader-Willi• Turner’s Syndrome• Laurence-Moon-Biedl
Hereditary? Somewhere between 30 – 75% of
the variance in adiposity within a population can be explained by genetics.
What do Parents have to do with it?
Parental education and raceAge of mother and race
Number of siblings and race
Prevalence of Overweight in 9-10 Year Old Girls by Parental Education and Race
Black Girls White Girlsn=1213 n=1166
Parental Education< High School 31% 29%Some College 31% 25%>4 Years College32% 16%
Patterson, Crawford, et al 1997
Prevalence of overweight in 9-10 year old girls by age of mother and
race Black Girls White Girls
Age of Mother/Female Guardian<31 26% 20%31-35 29% 23%36-40 33% 19%41-45 37% 21%>45 36% 27%
Patterson, Crawford, et al 1997
Prevalence of overweight in 9-10 year old girls by number of siblings and race
Black Girls White GirlsNumber of Siblings
0 35% 29%1 34% 21%2 28% 20%>3 26% 14%
Eating Practice yes no
Eating while watching TV 1900 1790Eat while doing homework 1920 1820Eat when not hungry 1900 1830Sneak food 1880 1830Buy snacks 1870 1820Eat big helpings 1880 1820
Vulnerable Times
• Prenatal• Adiposity rebound (Age 5 to 7)• Adolescence• Early Adulthood• Pregnancy• Menopause
Health Risks
• Increased blood pressure• Increased total cholesterol • Abnormal lipoproteins• Hyperinsulineamia
Psycho Social
• Depression• Low self-esteem• Work difficulties• Social difficulties
Seeing Things Differently
Factors to consider when assessing weight in Adolescents
Redefining “success” with overweight intervention
• Improved body image• Division of responsibility• Physically active life-style• Healthful eating pattern• Ability to deal with peers• Normal medical indicators• Weight stabilization • Improved self-esteem