Childhood Obesity Epidemic

Childhood Obesity Epidemic

New research published in the New England Journal of Medicine has stated that today’s generation of children are expected to have shorter lives than their parents due to the obesity epidemic.  It’s estimated that the life expectancy of the severely obese will be reduced by 5-20 years.  The reasoning behind this is due to the fact that obesity causes heart disease, diabetes, and oxidative stress that cause cancer.  Obesity itself is caused by high intake of refined sugar (pre-packaged foods), hydrogenated oils, saturated fats, artificial additives and colours with chemical additives that kids and adults just do not need in their diet.

It is a sad fact that 1 in 10 children under 5 are overweight, and 43 million of these under 5’s are obese and included under the obesity epidemic label of the UK, USA, and here at home in Australia.


"Obesity is such that this generation of children could be the first basically in the history of the Western Civilisation to live less healthful and shorter lives than their parents," said Dr. David S. Ludwig, director of the obesity program at Children's Hospital Boston, and one of the authors of the report.

"But when they start developing heart attack, stroke, kidney failures, amputations, blindness, and ultimately death at younger ages, then that could be a huge effect on life expectancy." Dr. Ludwig said.

We may assume that kids are getting fat because they are eating lots high energy foods (junk) and not doing any physical activity, but there may be some underlying physiological influences it.  Other factors related to an increased BMI to be taken into consideration are:

·       Dysbiosis in infancy

·       Chronic ear infections or Otitis Media

·        Childhood stress

·       Toxin exposure

Dysbiosis is where the good and bad bacteria in the gut our out of balance.  A healthy gut promotes proper digestion and absorption of nutrients, detoxification and elimination, and development of immunity.  Dysbiosis may occur due to caesarean section, poor probiotic status of the mother, formula feeding (probiotics are transferred to baby in breast milk), infections, constipation / diarrhoea, antibiotics (kill the good bacteria), and acidic intestinal pH.

Chronic ear infections may require lots of antibiotics and therefore upset the gut flora.

Acute stress in both adults and children may increase appetite, and chronic stress depletes serotonin and important regulator of food intake. 

Toxic Exposure to heavy metals may occur in-utero, or as a result of environmental exposure.  Detoxification is a normal body process and may be dysfunctional requiring support.

Research has also highlighted the higher risk of children being overweight or obese if their parents are themselves.  There is another link suggesting that if the mother is obese then the risk factor is even doubled for the child in their adult years.

TV and advertising in general are constantly pushing junk foods such as cereals e.g. (for growing iron men), and fast foods.  There is no advertising for healthy options, so if their parents don’t introduce healthier options these kids will not know any better and continue to eat rubbish.  Many health experts are demanding bans be put on marketing unhealthy foods to try and stop the increase in obesity.

Kate’s comments:

This research is NOT the end of the world, and steps can be taken to make changes for the health of our kids.  Families need to take action!  It’s time to make changes at home, and not expect the world to make them for you.  This can be really hard for some parents because they have to change their lifestyle too, and become a role model for the kids.  Of course it’s best to start when the kids are little where they’ll learn diet and lifestyle principals that they will take into their adult life, but you can involve the whole family in making changes that will be beneficial for all at any time.  This doesn’t mean that there will never be treats…. there will, but you will have laid a foundation of good nutrition for your children who go on to develop a healthy respect for food and themselves.  When the whole family undertakes a food makeover changes CAN happen.

Kids learn what they live!

 In clinic I use the Ketogenic diet weight loss for kids.  It’s a low carbohydrate, high protein diet that has been shown to be very effective for weight loss in obese school age kids.  Carbohydrates turn to sugar in the body, but its knowing which foods have the benefit of being low in carbs so you can eat more of them and feel full.  Low carbohydrate diets increase fat loss and preserve muscle mass, reduce insulin levels, and keep you full.

The Metagenic Weight Loss Program for Kids http://shake-it.com.au/Shake-it-kids.html

is an easy-to-follow, scientifically advanced, fat loss program based on low GI and ketogenic principles.

Three important principles of this program include good levels of protein, appropriate levels of healthy fats and moderate exercise to support rapid and lasting fat loss.

To help with the changes to diet,  Metagenics now have a meal replacement shake for kids.  The protein helps them feel full and satisfied.  It’s good for an easy breakfast which sets up the brain for learning.