Childhood obesity is a complex condition with a variety of contributing factors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates about one in five American children have obesity. The Government of Canada says obesity rates among children and youth in Canada have nearly tripled in the last 30 years, with one in seven Canadian children now meeting the criteria for obesity.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, childhood obesity happens when a child is above a healthy weight for their age, height and sex. The medical definition defines childhood obesity as having a body mass index at or above the 95th percentile for age and sex in children age two years and older. Children in the age range of 12 to 19 have the highest percentage of childhood obesity.
Individuals may wonder what factors are driving these statistics. Childhood obesity has many causes, and the following are some things caregivers should be aware of so that their children' s weights do not put their health at risk.
