Obesity in Children

· What is obesity?
Obesity is a medical problem which is caused by excess energy stored in a person's body and can not be used.

· What are the reasons for obesity in children?
The reasons for obesity in children are unhealthy food choices, lack of physical activity and family eating habits.

· Is obesity only a national problem?
No, it is a worldwide problem. The increasing rates of childhood obesity are shocking in many countries.

· What do statistics show?
The statistics show more people are getting obesity in Australia.

· What is making worse the obesity problem?
Some major changes in society have led to an increase of overweight and obesity.
Those changes include increases in portion sizes, marketing of energy-dense foods and drinks, the use of cars, family incomes, working hours and decreases in the overall cost of food, the role of physical education in the school curriculum, and more take-away foods.

· Does obesity have an impact on children’s health?
Yes, it does.

· If yes, explain how?
Some potential health problems for obese children include:
Type 2 diabetes
Eating disorders
Orthopaedic disorders
Liver problems
Respiratory disorders
Sleep apnoea
Cardiomyopathy.

· What are the other impacts caused by obesity in children?
Obesity in children can cause obesity in adults.

· What is the treatment?
Go to your doctors or nutritionists for help.