Childhood Obesity

What's the Prevalence of Childhood Obesity in Canada?
What are the health consequences of childhood obesity?
Resources

What's the Prevalence of Childhood Obesity in Canada?
In 2004, 26% of children and youth aged 2-17 years were overweight or obese, including 8% who were obese. Overweight and obesity among 2-5 year olds remained the same between 1979 and 2004 (21%), with obesity reported at 6.3% in 2004. Overweight and obesity doubled among 6-17 year olds between 1979 and 2004 and obesity tripled among adolescents aged 12-17 years.

What are the health consequences of childhood obesity?
Childhood obesity has been associated with:
• Glucose intolerance and insulin resistance
• Type 2 diabetes
• Hypertension
• Sleep apnea
• Impaired balance
• Orthopedic problems
• Low self-esteem
• Negative body image
• Depression 
• Negative stereotyping
• Teasing and bullying
• Social marginalization

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Resources
Koplan, J.P., Liverman, C.T. & Kraak, V.A. (Eds.) (2004). Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance. Committee on Prevention of Obesity in Children and Youth. Food and Nutrition Board. Washington, D.C.: The National Academies Press.

Shields, M. (2005). Measured Obesity: Overweight Canadian Children and Adolescents. Nutrition: Findings from the Canadian Community Health Survey: Issue no. 1. Statistics Canada, 2005. Available from http://www.statcan.ca/english/research/82-620-MIE/2005001/pdf/cobesity.pdf.

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