Childhood obesity: causes, effects, and prevention strategies

Childhood Obesity

Annotated Bibliography

In the United States the number of obese children has increased by 300% in the past thirty years -- and the trend in continuing (Rimm 6). This fact suggests that there are certain things about our culture that facilitate overeating and inactivity in children as well as adults. Additionally, much evidence points to child obesity as a major cause for serious health problems later in life; the increasing occurrence of these problems threatens the health care system's ability to treat them. Obesity has become a fast-growing epidemic.

Thousands of theories have been put forth, and an almost equal number of books have been published identifying possible causes, treatments, and consequences relating to childhood obesity. Much of the literature found in local bookstores and the advice given on talk shows offer only cheap, quick-fix solutions. Weight-loss, in general, has become a multi-billion dollar industry and child obesity has developed into a subset of this market. The truth is there are no easy answers for why the number of obese children is increasing so rapidly, or for how to treat these children now and later in life. However, many correlations have been identified, culprits named, and preventative measures suggested. The expansive nature of this problem implies that a number of broad conclusions can be reached that may apply to obese children in today's society. The following is an Annotated Bibliography of sources I have uncovered attacking the problem of childhood obesity from different angles.

Anderson, Ross E. (2000). The Spread of the Childhood Obesity Epidemic. Canadian Medical Association, Nov. 28; 163 (11).

The author, Ross E. Anderson, is a doctor at John Hopkins School of Medicine and presents what he believes to be the general causes of obesity in children today. He limits his discussion to Canadian children and mentions the possible threats they pose for the Canadian healthcare system in the future. Anderson lists the major obesity-related health problems that commonly end in death, and argues that obese children are far more likely to suffer from these ailments later in their lives. He goes on to point to studies relating obesity in children to the number of hours of television they watch per day. Additionally, Anderson indicates that budget cuts in Canada have virtually eliminated adequate physical education programs, further adding to the obesity epidemic. The article stresses these two aspects of childhood obesity and concludes by calling parents and community leaders to action.

James, Janet and Peter Thomas et al., eds. (2004). Preventing Childhood Obesity by Reducing Consumption of Carbonated Drinks: Cluster Randomized Control Trial. Bournemouth University Publishing Group, May 22; 328(7450): 1236.

The authors are members of the Bournemouth University and Dorset Research and Development Unit in England. The group conducted a study investigating the drink consumption of 644 children and the number of overweight and obese children. The study was based upon the idea that a general energy imbalance is the most central factor causing childhood obesity and that drinks sweetened in sugar are a significant source of this energy. The ultimate goal of the study was to determine whether a school-based educational program encouraging non-sweetened drinks would have any significant influence over the number of drinks children consumed, and whether this, in turn, could reduce the levels of obesity. The authors conclude that moderate reductions in overweight and obese children can be achieved if a program similar to the one they suggest is enacted. The majority of the article is devoted to specifically detailing the value of the methods used within the study. The authors go on to acknowledge that reduction of television viewing may produce even better results.

Ong, Ken K.L. And Marian L. Ahmed et al., eds. (2000). Association between Postnatal Catch-Up Growth and Obesity in Childhood. British Medical Journal, April 8; 320(7240): 967-971.

The objective of the article is to detail a study conducted by the authors; this study attempted to identify predictors of postnatal catch-up growth from the first two years of a child's life and investigate connections between this growth and obesity at age five. The conductors of the study relied upon past information indicating that children born with low birth weights have an increased likelihood of suffering from health problems later in life -- many of these health problems are results of obesity. Generally -- the study found -- children born small but who catch up to average children by age two, tend to have higher central fat distributions later in life. The authors assert that this information is valuable because it suggests that reducing factors that lead to premature births may help in reducing the number of obese children.

Rimm, Dr. Sylvia. (2004). Rescuing the Emotional Lives of Overweight Children. New York: St. Martin's Press.

Dr. Rimm argues in her book that many of the social pressures put upon overweight children tend to have emotional results that perpetuate their weight problems. She refers to, throughout her book, many studies that she and others have conducted. After identifying many of the pressures overweight children are forced to face she goes on to offer possible methods for helping these children. The majority of the solutions are directed toward parents, and the role parents must play in providing their child with adequate self-esteem to deal with their obesity problems. Generally, Rimm attributes most of the behavioral causes of obesity to psychological issues; the most important of which are low self-esteem and social anxiety.

Sahota, Pinki and Mary C.J. Rudolf et al., eds. (2001). Evaluation of Implementation and Effect of Primary School Based Intervention to Reduce Risk Factors for Obesity. BMJ, Nov. 3; 323(7320): 1027.

The authors describe the study they conducted in which they implemented school action plans to determine if they were effective in reducing the levels of childhood obesity in those schools. Among the most important factors identified were school meal plans, and physical education. The schools agreed to incorporate nutrition education into their normal curriculum, and attempted to promote higher levels of fitness within their existing physical education program. They find their hypothesis, that school involvement can reduce risk factors associated with obesity, to be strongly supported by the evidence. Schools have a high level of contact with the children that attend them, and can significantly influence the diets and educational habits of their students.

Sothern, Melinda S. And T. Kristian von Almen, et al., eds. (2001). Trim Kids. New York: Harper Collins Publishers.