Childhood Obesity Epidemic a Long-Term Challenge

Related Encyclopedia • Abdominoplasty • Acne • Alagille Syndrome • Ankle Sprains More... Related Animations • Dental Cavities More... Related Healthscout Videos What are your hopes for the future of research? Video Interview: Dr. Atul Gawande on Why the Act of Writing is Essential  Video Interview: Dr. Atul Gawande on the Benefits of Admitting Medical Errors Video Interview: Dr. Atul Gawande on Candor and Medical Errors More... Related Drug Information • Adderal XR • Concerta • Strattera More... Related News Articles • Health Tip: Calculating Your BMI • Young Gymnasts Tumbling and Vaulting Their Way to the ER • Sleepless Nights Complicate Depression • Mother-Child Bond Affects Quality of Conflict Resolution More...

Page:  << Prev | 1 | 2

In one landmark study, a group of researchers from across the United States analyzed post-mortem blood samples and evaluated atherosclerosis in coronary artery and aorta specimens from roughly 3,000 15- to 34-year-old men and women who died from causes such as accidents, homicide or suicide. One of the surprising results of the study, according to McGill, was that an elevated blood sugar -- as measured by levels of "glycohemoglobin" -- was associated in the late 20s and early 30s with about an 8-fold increase in advanced lesions in the coronary arteries. "It was a whopper of an effect," he said.

In another study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers documented a significant upward shift over the past 16 years in blood pressure levels of children and teens aged 8 to 18. Lead author Paul Muntner, an epidemiologist at Tulane University School of Medicine, and colleagues said the increase in blood pressure levels is partially due to the increased prevalence of overweight in the United States.

And British researchers recently reported that children who are overweight at age 11 continue to have weight problems through their teenage years. Rates of overweight and obesity were highest among girls and children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. The authors said the study highlights the need to target efforts to prevent obesity in the early years.

Text Continues Below

---

But even as more money and manpower are devoted to obesity prevention, McGill said it may take many years to erase the epidemic. And, he added, it will take action on many different fronts, from educating children and physicians to improving the health-care financing system to include more preventive medicine.

"It was 1964 when the first U.S. Surgeon General's report came out, and just now, there's talk about the tide turning on cigarette smoking," he observed. "Obesity's perhaps going to take that long to get the tide turned."

More information

For more on childhood obesity, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Page:  << Prev | 1 | 2