The Childhood Obesity Epidemic

There are more overweight children in the United States today than ever before. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years are obese. That number has almost tripled since 1980. Obesity is a dangerous condition that can lead to other serious health obstacles such as joint problems and musculoskeletal discomfort, Diabetes II, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, as well as asthma and sleep apnea among other conditions. It is critical that we help our kids maintain a healthy weight so that they may lead long and healthy lives.

Identifying the Common Causes of Adolescent Weight Gain

How Did This Happen?

There are many societal as well as personal health factors that contribute to weight gain, so it is difficult to pinpoint a single cause to the effect. With children, genetic and hormonal factors can surely be reasons for obesity, but more often problems stem from a poor diet and inactive lifestyle. Put simply, obese children eat more calories than they are capable of working off.

We've identified a few common risk factors for childhood obesity, however it is important to remember that each individual is different. Therefore, this list is certainly not definitive, but we do see these trends in the majority of cases we treat:

• Unhealthy Diet: Regular consumption of high-calorie fast food, baked goods, and junk snacks are a quick route to weight gain. Frequent ingestion of sugary soft drinks and candies also opens the door to early-onset Diabetes II. Many of these goods are marketed specifically to children and are served in school vending machines.
• Family History & Lifestyle: Genetics do play a role: children from families with a history of obesity are more likely to put on weight. Furthermore, a family environment where unhealthy foods are easily available and physical activity isn't the norm will contribute much to the problem. Fewer sit down meals, lack of adult supervision, and a diet frequent in processed foods are all unhealthy habits.
• Psychological Factors: Children that are bored, stressed, or depressed may choose to eat to cope with their feelings. When parents have similar eating habits, children follow, which is especially dangerous at an early age.
• Socioeconomic Factors: Unfortunately, children from lower-income backgrounds are at greater risk for developing obesity. Families require time and resources to offer kids appropriate exercise opportunities and nutritionally satisfying meals. Fresh produce and well-raised meat is often more costly and unavailable in certain areas, forcing families to eat those problematic processed foods.

Other Causes of Childhood Obesity

Some children may have another existing medical complication which is causing their weight gain - this is referred to as comorbidity. In these cases, diet and exercise may not be enough to get back to a healthy weight. Our specially trained physicians can help your child maintain their medications and find other solutions to reach their weight loss goals. Some common conditions that can cause childhood obesity include:

• Metabolic Factors
• Genetic diseases and hormonal disorders such as Prader-Willi Syndrome and Cushing's Syndrome
• Poorly functioning thyroid (condition known as hyperthyroidism) can be a medical cause for obesity
• Deficiency in Vitamin D can be caused by weight gain, and subsequently can make the weight hard to lose
• Insulin resistance can make it extremely difficult for a child to feel full on a normal amount of food

Why Adult Diets Don't Work for Kids

Kids have different needs than adults - they're growing, developing, and have special requirements for diet and exercise to be effective. Many adult diets are based on ketosis, where the liver converts fat into acids to fuel the body. This kind of weight loss is unhealthy for children, as they require complex carbohydrates and calcium for energy and bone development. While liquid-protein diets may work successfully in adult cases, they are too calorie-restrictive for kids.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, understanding balanced nutrition is paramount during impressionable years. A restrictive diet may leave the wrong ideas about how to eat for a long, healthy life. Sensible health education is part of our approach at Oregon Medical Weight Loss - we try our best to prepare the next generation for lifelong success.

Our Kid-Friendly Solution

Medical Weight Loss for All Ages

We believe that youth weight loss programs should be easy for both kids and their families to understand. Our Healthy Weight & Lifestyle Program is a comprehensive and family-focused intervention designed to prevent and treat childhood obesity. Kid-friendly terminology and concepts allow easy comprehension and encourage lifetime success.

Today's busy lifestyle is full of competing demands, so a simple-to-incorporate diet plan is crucial. We gradually remove junk food and processed meals from the usual spread, fostering a healthy adjustment to a proper balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and good fats. We advise a diet of five small meals each day, allowing for mild calorie deficit without leaving children hungry. At OMWL, we do not count calories. Instead, we help change your lifestyle by providing expert advice and direction.

Who is it For?

Children, tweens and teens are all welcome at Oregon Medical Weight Loss. Our program is specifically designed to address the needs of kids whose bodies are still growing and developing. Family Support is a tremendous key to weight-loss success, so we highly encourage parents and siblings to attend our weekly sessions as well.

We lead two separate groups for different ages. Our Kids Group for ages 8-13 yrs. meets on Tuesday evenings, 6-7 pm; at least one parent or guardian must attend all 8 sessions. The Teen Group for those aged 13-18 yrs. meets on Fridays, 4-5:30 pm; at least one parent or guardian must attend 4 of the 8 sessions.

How Does it Work?

Our 8-week program meets in the evenings once a week for 1-2 hour seminars. Our team of Certified Bariatric Specialists and other experienced experts will educate you and your son or daughter on the importance of physical activity, nutrition, mental clarification and healthy lifestyle choices. Educational Binders will be provided to maintain all curriculum collected. Participating children and their families regular feedback about their progress. The group environment will introduce you to a support network of other families with the same health and wellness goals.

Parents' Guide

How Did This Happen?

It’s impossible to blame the childhood obesity epidemic on single cause. Instead, we have to look at a variety of factors that contribute to unhealthy lifestyles and weight gain in children.

Nutrition and Diet

• Families are more likely to eat at restaurants, in the car, and bring home take-out food than in the past.
• Many Children (particularly in inner cities) have limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains.
• Calorie-dense processed foods, such a microwavable and shelf-stable meals, are consumed more frequently, and have lower nutritional value.
• Portion sizes have increased in general, and Americans value quantity vs quality of food.

School Life

• Kids at school have access to vending machines with candy, snacks and sodas.
• Major food and beverage companies pay top dollar to struggling schools to display and vend their goods.
• School lunches are often affected by budget cuts, leading to unhealthier meals.
• Physical education programs, if available at all, are cut significantly and few children walk or bike to school.
• Students are unlikely to learn to prevent childhood obesity in schools through health or nutrition classes as they have been cut due to budgetary constraints.

Community and Media Influences

• Fewer children have access safe parks and recreation areas. Indoor play options are often cost-prohibitive.
• Unhealthy foods, such as sugary cereals and snacks, microwave kids’ meals, and fast food are marketed heavily to children.
• Childhood obesity and technology are linked as children are less likely to engage in physical play.
• Teens are exposed to fad diets and weight loss medications and may favor those options over exercise and nutrition.

Family Environment

• Fewer children eat meals at the table with their families.
• Families do not sit down to dinner any more. Children sometimes eat in front of the t.v. or computer and subsequently take in a larger quantity of calories.
• Lack of supervised meals encourage processed foods, snacks and overeating.
• Families are more likely to adopt a “go, go, go” mentality, increasing stress and limiting time for healthy activity and rest.

With so much working against our children, it is important not only to reduce the number of factors that put kids at risk, but also to teach them how to make healthy lifestyle decisions.