The top 10 causes of obesity in children and which ones can be reduced or prevented?
• The first category is Diet -- Arguably the most important contributor to the childhood obesity epidemic is consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. Sugary calories in liquid form seem to slip under the body weight regulating radar system to a considerable degree, leading to weight gain for susceptible individuals. In a recent randomized controlled trial from the New Balance Center Obesity Prevention Center at Boston Children's Hospital, we found that adolescents who eliminated sugary beverages weighed about 4 lb less after a year, than those who continued their usual beverage habits. Among Hispanics, the effects were especially large: 14 lb difference after 1 year.
• The second category is Physical activity and inactivity -- TV viewing is in close competition with sugary beverages as the leading driver of excessive weight gain in childhood. TV viewing causes obesity, not only by displacing physical activities, but also through incessant food advertising. Kids see thousands of food commercial per year, overwhelmingly for high calorie, low quality products.
Another important issue, especially for lower income and inner city children, is the lack of regular PE in schools, and safe afterschool recreation opportunities.
Keep Kids Moving:
• The third category is Family -- The environment outside the home has been called "toxic" to our ability to maintain a healthy body weight. All too often, parents don't adequately protect the home environment and model healthy eating. Without parental vigilance, the foods kids eat in the home can be as unhealthy as the ones outside.
• The fourth category is Stress -- too much of it, and too little sleep. A stressed, tired child will be less likely get off the couch and get active, and more likely to give in to dietary temptations. In addition, stress and sleep deprivation may alter hormones and metabolism in ways that promotes weight gain.
• The fifth category is the Environment -- and most importantly, our car-based transportation system. Entire suburbs now lack any public transportation, and even sidewalks. To make matters worse, many neighborhoods also lack community parks, playgrounds and bike paths for safe, active recreation.
