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Alarming trends in pediatric overweight in the United States
Lorrene D Ritchie1, Susan L Ivey, Gail Woodward-Lopez
1Center for Weight and Health, College of Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley, USA.
Insights
Pediatric overweight in the U.S. has tripled in recent decades, with African American and Hispanic children from low-income households at higher risk. Urgent strategies are needed to prevent this growing public health crisis.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Pediatric overweight is a significant public health concern in the United States.
- Secular trends indicate a substantial rise in prevalence over recent decades.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review secular changes in pediatric overweight prevalence.
- To assess the current magnitude and scope of pediatric overweight.
- To identify sociodemographic and racial groups at higher risk.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review focusing on the last two decades.
- Inclusion of studies with nationally representative samples of children.
Main Results:
- A threefold increase in pediatric overweight prevalence observed in recent decades.
- This trend shows no signs of abating.
- Higher risk identified in African American girls, Hispanic girls and boys, and children from low-income households.
Conclusions:
- Rising pediatric overweight foreshadows increased rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
- Ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in overweight prevalence are likely to worsen chronic disease disparities.
- Development and implementation of prevention strategies are urgently required.
Objectives:
A comprehensive review of the pediatric overweight literature was undertaken to examine secular changes in the prevalence of pediatric overweight, the current magnitude and scope of pediatric overweight, and the identity of high-risk groups in the U.S.
Methods:
Articles published in the last two decades and studies of nationally representative numbers of children were highlighted.
Results:
An unprecedented three-fold increase in the prevalence of pediatric overweight has occurred in recent decades in the U.S. and evidence suggests that this trend is continuing unabated. While no sociodemographic or racial group has escaped this trend, particularly at risk are African American girls, Hispanic girls and boys, and children from low-income house-holds.
Conclusion:
The rising prevalence of pediatric overweight in the U.S. is a harbinger of increases in diabetes, cardiovascular disease and numerous other health problems. Furthermore, disparities in pediatric overweight along ethnic and socio-economic lines are expected to further exacerbate current disparities in rates of chronic disease. Strategies and programs to prevent overweight among children are urgently needed.