Children that are overweight and obese are a significant public health problems in the United States. The number of adolescents who are overweight has tripled since 1980 and more than doubled among younger children. Here are some alarming figures from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention:
- Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years.
- The percentage of children aged 6–11 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 20% in 2008. Similarly, the percentage of adolescents aged 12–19 years who were obese increased from 5% to 18% over the same period.
- In 2008, more than one-third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese.
Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition and is particularly troubling because the extra pounds often start children on the path to health problems that were once confined to adults.
Childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term effects on health and well-being. Some immediate health effects include:
- Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
- Obese adolescents are more likely to have pre-diabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels indicate a high risk for development of diabetes.
- Children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as depression and poor self-esteem.
Long-term health effects:
- Children and adolescents who are obese are likely to be obese as adults and are therefore more at risk for adult health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.
A strong strategy to reduce childhood obesity is to improve the diet and exercise
and form healthy habits early in life. One of the ways we are contributing to the formation of healthy habits is to create a new Life Points for Youth Program. Our current program is for any employee, spouse, partner, or dependent 18 years or older. With the addition of the Life Points for Youth Program we will have an impact on those between the ages of 7 and 17. Like our current program, participants can earn Life Points by completing certain activities. Over time, as they reach certain point milestones they can earn gift cards to stores such as iTunes, Subway, Amazon, etc.
What do youth have to do to earn these points? Some of the activities in the youth program include:
- Getting annual checkups (eyes, physical, dentist)
- Participating on a sports team
- Maintaining a healthy BMI
- Exercising their heart on a regular basis
- Wearing a seatbelt 100% of the time etc.
With the addition of this new wellness offering we are hoping to contribute to the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity and protect the health of our child now and in the future.
Hi there, Thanks a lot for this great posting! I will certainly bookmark Combating Childhood Obesity with Life Points Not So Corporate Wellness. Cheers.
Thanks for the ideas shared on your own blog. Yet another thing I would like to state is that weight loss is not supposed to be about going on a dietary fad and trying to lose as much weight as possible in a couple of days. The most effective way to lose weight is by getting it slowly and obeying some basic guidelines which can assist you to make the most out of your attempt to shed weight. You may recognize and be following most of these tips, although reinforcing expertise never does any damage.
Thanks so much for your input. I totally agree with you on your point about the proper way to lose weight. Reinforcement to readers sounds like a solid idea. Thanks again!