childhood obesity persuasive essay

134 Childhood Obesity Essay Topics & Examples

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Persuasive Essay on Child Obesity

• Categories: Child Obesity

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Published: Mar 14, 2024

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Childhood Obesity - Free Essay Samples And Topic Ideas

Childhood Obesity is a serious medical condition where excess body fat negatively affects a child’s health or well-being. Essays might discuss the causes, consequences, prevention and management of childhood obesity, as well as the role of parents, schools, and healthcare providers in addressing this issue. A vast selection of complimentary essay illustrations pertaining to Childhood Obesity you can find in Papersowl database. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Problem: Childhood Obesity in America

As you've probably heard, more children are becoming overweight today in America than ever before. Experts are calling this an "obesity epidemic." To first understand childhood obesity we must ask ourselves what is obesity? Obesity is a diet-related chronic disease involving excessive body fat that increases the risk of health problems. Many doctors have expressed obesity has an increasing problem in today's youth as obesity can lead to many health issues such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart […]

Childhood Obesity Parents are the Blame

In current years, children becoming more obese in their entire childhood development has become common. Obesity in children could be due to various reasons such as family structure, busy family life experienced in the modern days, and insufficient knowledge of foods containing high calories. Parents ought to be accountable for what they do or fail to do that amounts to a negative influence on their children's weight and cause them to be overweight or obese during their childhood period. When […]

Childhood and Adolescents Obesity Prevention

Obesity in children and adolescents is a serious and growing problem in America. Overweight children are becoming overweight adults and that is causing life-threatening, chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. There are multiple reasons for childhood obesity. The most common reasons are genetic factors, lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating patterns, or a combination of all three factors (“Obesity in Children,” 2018). Today, there are many children that spend a lot of time being inactive and eating junk […]

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Childhood Obesity – Causes and Potential Long-Term Effects

Abstract There is growing concern about the state of children’s health. Every year there is an increase in the number of overweight and obese children. What causes this and what does it mean for them long-term? There are many contributing factors to children’s weight issues. Some of these factors are limited access to healthy food, more time spent in front of a screen, and less physical activity. Long-term health affects include a rising risk of Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart […]

How are Fast Food Advertising and Childhood Obesity Related

By 1950s, fast food industry boom was in full swing. It was secured in 1951. In the 1950s, McDonald has become a staple of the American diet. Fast food restaurants have been grown more and more and by now, there are over one hundred and sixty thousands fast food restaurants in the United States, becoming a one hundred and ten billion dollar industry. One can’t deny that fast food has become really important in American life nowadays. Whether Americans are […]

Obesity in Childhood

There are numerous issues that society faces on a daily basis. One of the issues that society faces is obesity. It is one of the leading risks of death and has been ongoing since the 1960s and 1970s. Obesity is an issue that continues to grow not only in the United States but also in developing countries as well. Not only does obesity affect adults but it has become a serious issue for children. According to an article, "approximately 12.7 […]

Childhood Obesity a Serious Problem in the USA

Childhood obesity is a serious problem in the United States. Obesity is condition in which a child is significantly overweight for his or her age and height. It is a very common condition and is estimated to have around 3 million cases in the United States each year. Every day more children are getting diagnosed with obesity, and some as young as 4 years old. When a child gets diagnosed with obesity at a young age, it can be very […]

Childhood Obesity is an Epidemic in the USA

Introduction Childhood obesity has become an epidemic in the United States and other western industrialized societies. "Childhood obesity affects more than 18 percent of children in the United States, making it the most common chronic disease of childhood" (Obesity Action Coalition). According to the OAC, the percentage of children suffering from childhood obesity has tripled since 1980. A child is considered obese if their body mass index for their age is greater than 95 percent. Childhood obesity is both an […]

Obese Kids and Low Self-esteem

Those who are in poverty are predominately people of color and as you can see from the chart above there is a high percentage of children of color who were diagnosed with childhood obesity. According to Centers of Disease Control, "Overall, non-Hispanic black and Hispanic adults and youth had a higher prevalence of obesity compared with other race and Hispanic-origin groups. Obesity prevalence was lower among non-Hispanic Asian men and women compared with other race and Hispanic-origin groups. Among men, […]

Childhood Obesity Today

In America, childhood obesity is on a rise today. Children can gain obsessive weight because of environmental factors. Vending machines, low cost on snacks, and a increase in the fast food chain are contributing factors towards obesity. Genetics can also play a part in childhood obesity. Many children come from a generation of overweight families. Most parents don't see the harm in letting their children gain tons of weight. Obesity can cause many health problems. Childhood obesity affects the health […]

Childhood Obesity in the American Nation

Childhood obesity is still rising in this nation. One out of three Americans is obese. The outlook for children is not much better, as adolescent obesity has quadrupled over the last thirty years. "As of 2012, almost 18 percent of children aged 6-11 years were obese" (Newman, 1). Despite the considerable public awareness of the negative impacts of obesity, this challenge persists. The situation for youngsters is hardly brighter; over the last few decades, the rate of youth obesity has […]

Child and Adolescent Obesity in the United States

Child and adolescent obesity in the United States has nearly tripled sincethe 70s. About 1 out of every 5 children suffer from childhood obesity. It is the duty ofmothers and fathers to prevent and find solutions to child and adolescent obesity. Thispaper will seek to explain the many causes and current results which parents can execute.Child and adolescent obesity comprises of several likely causes such as poor diet and lowphysical activity including numerous adverse effects. Therefore, changes in familyhousehold structures […]

The Causes and Preventions of Childhood Obesity

When trying to find out if a child is considered for obesity, they need to have a body mass index that is between the ranges of the 85th percentile and the 95th percentile. When speaking about childhood obesity it is for children between the ages of infancy and early adulthood which is eighteen years of age. Obesity is one of the most preventable diseases especially if caught early enough. There are many different reasons for the cause of childhood obesity, […]

The Effects of the Epidemic Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity has become a growing epidemic in more than just the U.S. However, over the past three decades, childhood obesity rates have tripled in the U.S. and today, the country has some of the highest obesity rates in the world: One out of six children is obese, and one out of three children is overweight. Chubby children were once thought of as cute, it was there baby fat and they would soon emerge into healthy adults, however this isn't […]

Tackling Childhood Obesity in Rural Mississippi

Childhood obesity is a growing health issue in the United States. Children with higher Body Mass Indexes than the recommended by the National Institutes of Health are more prone to adverse health effects later in life. Obesity in early age can translate into adulthood and increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and diabetes (Franks 2010). The highest rates of childhood obesity can be observed in the southeastern corner of the United States, Mississippi, in particular, with the highest prevalence […]

Childhood Obesity, a Crisis that could be Cure

Obesity is a crisis that is affecting many countries, their most vulnerable citizens being children. Bad eating habits, high calorie intake, genetics, and lack of activity or exercise are some of the elements that, either combined or individually, are the cause for childhood obesity in America, Latin America, and many other nations. In the United States, rural areas have higher rates of childhood obesity, as do Hispanics and Blacks (Davis 2011). Keywords: Obesity, Childhood. Childhood Obesity, a Crisis that could […]

Childhood Obesity: Global Epidemic and Ethical Concerns

Abstract Numbers continue to climb for those who have childhood obesity. This serious issue has been brought to the attention of the public who have been taking preventative measures and action in hopes to reduce the number of cases. In a number of countries, public policies have been implemented to prevent obesity. However, in the U.S. efforts made are not enough or have not been effective to stop the obesity rate from increasing. Proposals for solutions to this health problem […]

Childhood Obesity and Unhealthy Diets

Over the years childhood obesity has become an epidemic. Working as a medical assistant in family practice for the past ten years, I have witnessed a lot of children struggling with being overweight and obese. Many children now in days lack whole foods that contain proper macronutrients for their bodies to use as energy adequately. Processed foods and sugary beverages can cause more complications over time when overconsumed. Along with lack of proper nutrition, a lot of children seem to […]

The Social Environment and Childhood Obesity

I, Marisol Nuñez, reside in South Gate the reason for this letter is that I am very concerned about the prevention of childhood obesity. Residents in our city lack the resources of acquiring healthy nutritious foods for their families, the resources in our city are very limited. The city has a farmer’s market once a week, and the likelihood of working families purchasing healthier foods is very limited. We need more resources for our families can eat highly nutritious foods. […]

Childhood Obesity and Physical Activity

Most children and teens have access to a tablet, smartphone, television, laptop or a video console. They are sitting around on-screen time more and more as the days go by. Research from the CDC states obesity has nearly doubled since the 1970s in the United States. It is estimated now that 20 percent of children and adolescents are affected by obesity. Too much screen time, the accessibility to the internet and not enough physical activity are the biggest reasons the […]

Childhood Obesity and Adolesence

Childhood obesity can be prevented in many ways. Parents are the main ones with a say so on obesity. They allow their children to digest all kinds of bad foods. Parents should introduce on a daily basis different kinds of healthy foods. They should also promote is by showing children how healthy food are good for the body. You have some children that won’t eat healthy things because of the color and the way it looks. Obesity is one of […]

Several Factors in Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is widely described as excess in body fat in children and teenagers. There is, however, no agreement about exactly how much body fat is excessive in relation to the group. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention on its part defined overweight as at or above the 95th percentile of body mass index (BMI) for age and "at risk for overweight" as between 85th to 95th percentile of BMI for age (Krushnapriya Sahoo). In general clinic environments, the […]

Factors that Influence Childhood Obesity

The cause of pediatric obesity is multifactorial (1). There is not a single cause, nor solution, found that leads to all cases of pediatric obesity. Parental discipline in regard to the child is not proven to lead to less adiposity or obesity in children. Parental feeding strategy may actually be a cause of obesity with restrictive approach to food by the parent shown to increase the proclivity for the restricted foods (2). Likewise, when parents allowed their children to have […]

Childhood Obesity, Disease Control and Prevention

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, identifying effective intervention strategies that can target both improvements in physical activity and providing a nutritious diet to reduce childhood obesity are important" (Karnik, 21). There has been a rising concern on whether or not the government needs to be involved in this childhood obesity epidemic. Sameera, Karnik, and Amar Kanekar give an amazing detailed article on how important it is to get involved with children through the government and through […]

The Impact of Childhood Obesity on Health

Childhood Obesity has become an ongoing problem across the United States. Obesity kills about 34 children every hour in the world, making it a serious issue. Many leaders and people have come together to attempt to prevent the issue, but some strategies have failed. Most people disregard the fact that what they feed their children can affect them in many ways, specifically become obese. Childhood obesity can lead to becoming obese in the future, being susceptible to different diseases and […]

What is Childhood Obesity?

Introduction Childhood obesity has become a widespread epidemic, especially in the United States. Twenty five percent of children in the United States are overweight and eleven percent are obese (Dehghan, et al, 2005). On top of that, about seventy percent of those children will grow up to be obese adults (Dehgan, et al, 2005). There are many different causes that can be attributed to the childhood obesity. Environmental factors, lifestyle preferences, and cultural environment play pivotal roles in the rising […]

Problem of Childhood Obesity in the United States

Among the many issues that the United States is facing, there is no doubt that Childhood Obesity is a timely and relevant debatable topic that has brought many consequences and health issues among our nation’s children. Many debates in regard to childhood obesity have formed. Because the prevalence of childhood obesity is on the rise, there have been varying opinions about what leading factors contribute to this issue. Although some health professionals and parents believe that childhood obesity stems from […]

A Big Problem – Bad Healthcare is Aiding Childhood Obesity

A study done in 2002 found that, almost 14 million children are obese, that is 24 percent of the U.S. population from ages 2 to 17. This number just keeps rising as the years go by. Some people would argue that the increasing numbers are due to sugary dinks and foods sold in vending machines at schools, or not enough healthy food options. Other parties can argue that this number keeps increasing because of bad healthcare and not enough opportunities […]

Childhood Obesity Rate Can be Decreased

Child obesity has become a major concern as it continues to increase every year in the US. Many parents are uneducated about the risks of childhood obesity. Parental awareness and increasing physical activity are steps towards making a change in the rates of childhood obesity. There are many side effects of childhood obesity that can obstruct a child’s future. However, positive changes to children’s health can be achieved through the influence of adults. Child obesity has become a more critical […]

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How To Write an Essay About Childhood Obesity

Understanding childhood obesity.

Writing an essay about childhood obesity requires a comprehensive understanding of the topic. Childhood obesity is a serious public health issue that has grown significantly in recent years. It's characterized by children having a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex. Start by exploring the causes of childhood obesity, which can include genetic factors, poor dietary habits, lack of physical activity, and environmental influences. Also, consider the short and long-term health implications, such as an increased risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. This foundational knowledge sets the stage for a deeper analysis in your essay.

Developing a Focused Thesis Statement

Your essay should be guided by a clear, focused thesis statement. This statement should present a specific angle or argument about childhood obesity. For instance, you might argue the importance of early intervention programs, the role of schools in promoting healthy lifestyles, or the impact of advertising and media on children’s eating habits. Your thesis will determine the direction of your essay, guiding your analysis and ensuring a structured approach to the topic.

Gathering and Analyzing Data

An effective essay on childhood obesity should be supported by relevant data and research. This includes statistics on the prevalence of obesity, studies on its causes and effects, and evaluations of intervention programs. Use this information to support your thesis, incorporating both national and global perspectives. Analyze the data critically, acknowledging any limitations and considering different viewpoints. This approach adds depth to your essay and strengthens your arguments.

Discussing Solutions and Interventions

A significant portion of your essay should be dedicated to discussing potential solutions and interventions for childhood obesity. This can include public health policies, educational programs, changes in food industry practices, or community-based initiatives. Evaluate the effectiveness of these solutions, drawing on case studies or research findings. Discussing both the successes and challenges in tackling childhood obesity will provide a balanced view and demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the topic.

Concluding the Essay

Conclude your essay by summarizing the main points of your discussion and restating your thesis in light of the evidence presented. Your conclusion should tie together your analysis and emphasize the significance of addressing childhood obesity. This is also an opportunity to reflect on potential future developments in the field or to suggest areas for further research.

Reviewing and Refining the Essay

After completing your essay, it's important to review and refine it. Check for coherence in your arguments and clarity in your writing. Ensure that your essay is well-organized and free from grammatical errors. Consider seeking feedback from peers, teachers, or health professionals to further improve your work. A well-crafted essay on childhood obesity should not only inform but also engage readers in considering the complexities of this public health issue and the collective efforts required to address it.

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• v.11(5); 2020 Sep

Perspective: Childhood Obesity Requires New Strategies for Prevention

Barbara j deal.

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

Mark D Huffman

The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, Australia

Helen Binns

Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

Neil J Stone

The prevalence of obesity among youth in the USA is currently >18% with projections that more than half of today's children will be obese as adults. The growth trajectory of children more likely to become obese is determined by weight in earliest childhood, and childhood body mass index (BMI) tracks through adolescence and adulthood. Childhood consequences of obesity include increased risk of asthma, type 2 diabetes mellitus, orthopedic disorders, and reduced academic performance. Health implications of obesity in adulthood include premature coronary artery disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and certain cancers, contributing to the leading causes of adult mortality. Early childhood obesity is influenced by prenatal exposure to maternal obesity and environmental obesogens, and is associated with poverty, food insecurity, and poor nutritional quality. New strategies for primordial prevention of early childhood obesity require focusing attention on growth parameters during the first 2 y of life, with support for increasing the duration of breastfeeding, and improvements in dietary quality and availability, particularly the reduced consumption of added sugars. Reducing the prevalence of obesity among adolescent females and reducing exposure to environmental obesogens may reduce the prevalence of transgenerational obesity. The reduction of early childhood obesity could improve population health, quality of life, and longevity throughout the life course.

Introduction

Despite major national and state-level efforts, by 2016 the prevalence of obesity in the USA had increased to 39.8% among adults (compared with 33.7% in 2007–2008) and to 18.5% among youth <18 years of age (from 16.8% in 2007–2008) ( 1 , 2 ). Based on 2016 levels of childhood obesity in the USA, simulated growth trajectories predict 57% of today's children will be obese at the age of 35 y ( 3 ). The consequences of obesity contribute to the leading causes of death and disability among adults: cardiovascular diseases including premature coronary artery disease, hypertension, atrial fibrillation and stroke, cancer, osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, and chronic kidney and liver diseases ( 4 ). In contrast to adults, mortality related to obesity among youth is rare ( 5 ), contributing to complacency regarding the health implications and morbidity of childhood obesity, including early onset of type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Obesity-related conditions progress through adulthood affecting all areas of adult well-being and life expectancy ( 6 ). Thus, it is imperative that public policy interventions be implemented to alter the development of obesity in childhood.

Growth trajectories for obesity are established in infancy and early childhood, and track into adulthood ( 3 ). Previous publications have recommended initiating screening for childhood overweight and obesity at ages 6–12 y, however, this may miss an important window during which obesity may be developing in many younger children ( 7 – 9 ). By waiting until age 6 y, these positions fall into the category of primary prevention of obesity-related health morbidities. This review summarizes contemporary data on lifelong health consequences of pediatric obesity, pediatric obesity growth trajectories, causes of childhood obesity, and new strategies for the prevention and reduction of early childhood obesity, including population-level, primordial efforts to reduce the risk factors predisposing to obesity, and the life course health consequences and costs of childhood obesity ( 10 , 11 ) ( Box 1 ).

Box 1: Key points

• Childhood obesity often begins in utero and early infancy. Maternal obesity, excessive weight gain during pregnancy, and rapid weight gain during the first 2 y of life are associated with childhood obesity.
• Children who are obese by age 5 y are more likely to be obese as adolescents, and adolescents with obesity are highly likely to be obese as adults.
• Obesity during childhood is associated with increased risk of asthma, type 2 diabetes, orthopedic disorders, and reduced academic performance.
• Obesity during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of miscarriage, birth defects among newborns, and adult obesity among offspring.
• Obesity during adulthood contributes to the major causes of adult mortality: premature coronary artery disease, hypertension, stroke, chronic kidney and liver disease, and many types of cancer.
• New strategies for primordial prevention of early childhood obesity include achievement of healthy maternal weight prior to pregnancy, widespread adoption of breastfeeding for the first 6 mo of life, careful monitoring and intervention for excessive weight gain during the first 2 y of life, reducing consumption of added sugars, such as juices, among children, improving dietary quality and availability for children, and reducing exposures to environmental obesogens.

Current Status of Knowledge

Childhood obesity: c auses and growth trajectories.

Extensive data now exist to help understand the etiology of obesity as a multigenerational disease that begins during fetal life, with multiple contributing causes as summarized in  Table 1 ( 12 ). Viewing obesity as a lifetime disease, with origins preconception, in utero, and during early infancy with intergenerational effects is essential to guide efforts to reduce obesity and cardiovascular disease of adulthood.

Risk factors for the development of childhood obesity during prenatal, neonatal/infancy, and childhood/adolescent periods

Prenatal causes

Preconception maternal and paternal dietary quality, weight status, assisted reproductive technology involving embryo culture, and environmental exposures alter the developmental plasticity of gametes, and subsequent fetal programming, resulting in postnatal cardiometabolic disease risk ( 12 , 13 ). Prenatal or early life exposure to endocrine disruptor chemicals (also known as obesogens), such as air pollutants or pesticides, at a critical time for differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into either adipocytes or osteoblasts may result in enhanced adipocyte numbers, which is considered irreversible and may be transmitted across future generations ( 13 ).

A mother who begins pregnancy obese has a significantly higher risk of late childhood obesity in her offspring (OR = 4.47; 95% CI: 3.99, 5.23) ( 14 ). The prevalence of prepregnancy obesity in the USA in 2015 was ∼26%, a 2% absolute increase since 2011 ( 15 ). For the developing fetus in the setting of maternal obesity, exposure to increased concentrations of inflammatory cytokines, hypermethylation of DNA, and histone modification produce epigenetic changes associated with increased risk of obesity in both the child and subsequent generations ( 13 ). Estimates of the proportion of childhood overweight/obesity prevalence attributable to maternal overweight, obesity, and excessive gestational weight gain ranged from 10% to 22% in a recent meta-analysis ( 14 ).

Early childhood contributions to obesity

Methodologic issues complicate the assessment of the effect of feeding infants formula versus breast-feeding for the first 6 mo of life on childhood obesity. A 2013 meta-analysis suggests a longer duration of breastfeeding results in a 13% lower prevalence of childhood obesity ( 16 ). Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 mo of life is recommended with a Healthy People 2020 target in the USA of 60%, compared with the current level of 25% ( 17 , 18 ). Breastfeeding is lowest among families living under 200% of the USA poverty level, lower maternal educational attainment, younger maternal age, and among African Americans or Hispanics compared with Caucasians ( 19 ).

The health effects of a suboptimal diet and high BMI contributed to an estimated 11 million deaths among adults globally in 2017 ( 20 ). The rapid and fundamental changes in food and beverages has translated into the consumption of 80% of calories from packaged foods and beverages among Americans, with >70% considered ultraprocessed foods ( 21 ). The contribution of added sugars to poor cardiometabolic health, obesity, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is well-documented ( 22 ). Among US children ages 2 y and above, added sugars accounted for 14% of daily caloric intake in 2013–2018, versus the recommended intake <5–10% of total calories for children and adolescents ( 23 ). The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, accounting for more than half of dietary added sugars in the USA, begins in the first year of life, with 43% of infants and 72% of toddlers consuming ≥1 sugar-sweetened beverage or dessert daily in 2009 ( 24 ). Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption has been positively associated with higher BMI among children ( 24 – 26 ).

Socioeconomic factors and obesity

Poverty, food insecurity, social stressors, rural environments, and lower educational attainment of parents are important associates of early childhood obesity ( 27 – 29 ). Young children with obesity are more likely to live in poverty and in households with lower educational attainment ( 28 , 29 ). Food insecurity, defined as a lack of dependable, regular access to high-quality food, affects ≥12% of households and almost 17 million children in the USA who do not know when, or how adequate, their next meal will be ( 30 ). Obesity is present in 30% of Hispanic children living in households with food insecurity, with the highest rates of obesity (40%) among American Indians ( 31 , 32 ). Episodic household food shortages are associated with the consumption of more energy-dense/nutrient-poor foods when available, with the average added sugar intake over 70 g daily, compared with the recommended level of 25 g or less daily ( 33 ).

Pediatric obesity growth trajectories

The growth trajectory of children more likely to become obese is determined by weight in earliest childhood, and childhood BMI tracks through adolescence and adulthood ( 27 , 34 ). Infants and toddlers with rapid postnatal growth, as evidenced by crossing weight-for-length percentiles in the first 3–6 mo of life or accelerating BMI between the ages of 2–6 y, were more likely to be obese by age 12–14 y ( 34 , 35 ). Between 70 and 90% of children with obesity in kindergarten were obese through age 14 y, independent of sex, race, or socioeconomic backgrounds ( 34 , 35 ). Approximately 70–80% of adolescents with overweight or obesity will be obese as adults ( 36 , 37 ).

Clinical presentation and health implications of obesity in childhood

Health implications of obesity affect virtually every organ system, with some effects well-recognized in childhood, whereas other long-term effects manifest in adulthood.

Morbidity associated with obesity in childhood and adolescence

In addition to well-known comorbidities of childhood obesity as summarized in  Table 2 , additional adverse health effects of obesity among children and adolescents include reactive airway disease and increasing prevalence of type 2 DM ( 38 , 39 ). The risk of asthma among youth with obesity is almost twice that of normal weight children ( 38 ). Prediabetes with abnormal fasting glucose and elevated hemoglobin A1c is prevalent among 17% of youth in the USA, and is highly associated with obesity ( 40 ). Type 2 DM, once diagnosed in middle-aged adults with obesity, is increasingly detected among adolescents by age 14 y. Type 2 DM increased to an incidence of 13.8/100,000 among US youth aged 10–19 y in 2014–2015, and is projected to quadruple between 2010 and 2050 ( 39 , 41 ). By adulthood, these youth have experienced years of chronic exposure to metabolic and atherogenic abnormalities, who have higher odds of diabetic-related complications and premature cardiovascular mortality compared with those with type 1 DM ( 42 ). Moreover, those with type 2 DM who develop acute myocardial infarction have increased complication rates and mortality ( 43 ).

Lifelong health consequences of obesity ( 6 , 49 , 50 , 51 )

Effects of obesity on reproductive health

For adolescent and young adult females, obesity is associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome, decreased fertility, and increased risks of complications of miscarriage, preterm delivery, or stillbirth with pregnancy ( 44 , 45 ). Offspring born to obese women are at increased risk of birth defects, including congenital heart disease, as well as elevated blood pressure and lipid abnormalities ( 46 , 47 ). The likelihood of obesity in young adulthood for offspring of obese parents has increased by 2- to almost 6-fold, depending on if 1 or both parents were obese ( 48 ).

Effects of obesity on adult-onset, chronic noncommunicable diseases

The life-long consequences of obesity from childhood into adulthood include increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, disability, and shortened life expectancy ( 6 , 52 – 55 ). Obesity-related cardiovascular disease accounted for >4 million deaths and 120 million disability-adjusted life-years globally in 2015 ( 6 ). The economic burden of caring for obesity-related cardiovascular diseases is staggering: total costs are estimated to increase in the USA by $28 billion dollars annually between 2015 and 2035, from the current level of ≥$351 billion dollars ( 4 , 56 ).

The origins of atherosclerotic vascular disease associated with childhood obesity have been documented for several decades, although the clinical consequences of hypertension, premature ischemic heart disease, and stroke become clinically apparent in adulthood ( 36 , 52 , 54 , 57 ). The age at incident cardiovascular events is decreasing in some demographic groups and may be a principal driver of the plateau in national age-adjusted death rates due to cardiovascular diseases over the past decade ( 4 ).

The pathophysiology of adipose tissue promoting and accelerating cancer development shares a common pathway of proinflammatory changes with cardiometabolic disorders ( 58 ). By adulthood, excess weight is associated with a higher risk of ≥13 different types of cancer, accounting for 40% of all cancers diagnosed in 2014 ( 59 ). These cancers, particularly colon cancer, are being diagnosed with increasing frequency among young adults with obesity ( 60 ). Improved awareness of the role of obesity in the promotion of multiple forms of cancer should lend urgency to the need for prevention, treatment, and control of childhood obesity.

Strategies for the prevention of early childhood obesity

The US Healthy People 2020 goal aimed to lower the proportion of obesity among young children aged 2–5 y from 10.4% in 2008 to 9.4%; the 2030 goals are in progress ( 61 ). Comprehensive recommendations to address obesity in older children and adults focus on individual nutritional and behavioral changes, which demonstrate limited success ( 17 , 49 ). Primordial prevention of overweight and obesity in early childhood incorporating environmental, societal, and policy changes may have the largest impact and opportunity for lasting improvement in cardiovascular health across future generations, with strategies listed in  Table 3 ( 10 , 11 , 17 , 62 , 63 ).

New strategies for primordial prevention of early childhood obesity

SNAP, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program.

Broaden support for early breastfeeding

Improving the rate of initiation and duration of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 mo of life could be expected to reduce childhood obesity by ≥13–30% ( 64 , 65 ). Governmental and health care policy support and changes in infant formula purchasing agreements are necessary to increase participation in the effective Baby-Friendly Hospitals Initiative for successful breastfeeding ( 66 ). A major barrier to continued breastfeeding includes the need to return to work soon after birth, which disproportionately affects lower income households ( 67 ). Extending paid maternity leave has been associated with increased rates and longer duration of breastfeeding; in turn, this can be expected to reduce obesity in later childhood and adulthood by ≥12–15% ( 64 , 68 ).

Focus attention on growth parameters in the first years of life

Identifying families and newborns at increased risk of obesity as listed in  Table 2 could prompt early home health visits and more frequent weight and feeding monitoring ( 17 ). Avoidance of fruit juices in the first year of life, with efforts to make water the normative beverage after the age-appropriate consumption of milk is advocated ( 69 ).

Reduce the consumption of added sugars in children's diets

The implementation of taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages could reduce consumption by >25% and result in estimated reduced direct medical costs of $23 billion dollars annually by 2025, in addition to averting over 101,000 disease-attributable disability-adjusted life years ( 70 ). In January 2017, a 1.5 penny-per-ounce sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverage tax was implemented in Philadelphia to support prekindergarten education, resulting in both a net 27% decline in sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverage purchasing based on sales volume and the creation of new programming ( 71 ).

Improve dietary quality and availability

Specific policy strategies to modify the poor diet that is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease globally have been proposed ( 72 – 74 ). A combined approach of subsidies for fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains of 15–30% with taxation of sugar and sugar-sweetened beverages was estimated to produce the greatest reduction in cardiovascular disease and reduction of disparities in disease burden ( 73 ). Marketing of calorie-dense, nutrient-poor products to children, supported by enormous federal subsidies, are demonstrated as important contributors to childhood and adolescent obesity ( 72 ).

Invest in nutritional support for populations at highest risk of obesity in childhood

Recommendations to modify the federal Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) to benefit families at highest risk of suboptimal nutrition include restrictions to purchasing taxable products not consumed for nourishment and incentives to increase purchasing of healthy foods ( 75 ). An analysis of the impact of SNAP changes estimated that over 5 y, >11,900 cardiovascular deaths in adults would be averted, while achieving health care cost savings of >$5 billion dollars annually ( 75 ). By reducing food insecurity and improving dietary quality for children, the improvements in health quality and cost savings could be even greater ( 73 ).

Reduce obesity among adolescent females

Healthy People 2020 aims to reduce the proportion of obese adolescents to a target of 16%; currently, over 21% of adolescent females are obese. Reducing obesity in adolescent and young adult females could be expected to reduce childhood obesity by 10–22%, with ongoing effects for subsequent generations. Food banks and medically tailored meals (low-fat or low-glycemic index meals with reduced calories) may be successful in reducing obesity among adolescents at highest risk ( 76 ).

Increase research, governmental, and industry efforts to guide reduced exposure to environmental obesogens

Environmental chemical exposures contribute health care costs that may exceed 10% of the global domestic product ( 77 ). Obesogens are estimated to contribute ≥2% to 4% of obesity prevalence; however, this may be underestimated due to the irreversible, transgenerational effects of exposures in early childhood. To reduce environmental exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals which contribute to obesity, legislation is necessary ( 77 ).

Improve the economics of direct health care costs of obesity

Direct health care costs related to childhood and adult obesity are estimated at >$275 billion dollars annually ( 56 , 63 ). Medical costs related to children with obesity accounted for ≥$14 billion dollars annually in 2008 and childhood obesity has since increased by 10% ( 78 ). Small weight reductions of 1% in early childhood obesity among children aged 6 y, requiring expenditure of $103 million dollars, are projected to result in annual savings in adult medical expenditures of $845 million dollars annually ( 62 ). Paid maternity leave has been shown to increase breastfeeding duration, which would reduce childhood and adult obesity by ≥15%. Estimates of cost savings related to breastfeeding are impressive: if 90% of US families could comply with recommendations to breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 mo of life (a high goal compared with the 25% rate in 2018, and the Healthy People 2020 goal of 61%), then $13 billion dollars in annual health care costs would be saved ( 18 , 79 , 80 ).

Conclusions

Obesity is a severe, chronic disease associated with shortened life expectancy due to cardiovascular events, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and several forms of cancer. Determinants of obesity in childhood are well established before the age of 5 y, with these children especially likely to become obese adults. New policies directed at reducing obesity at the earliest stages by targeting the nutritional environments and well-being of infants, toddlers, and preschool children could alter the trajectory of childhood and adult obesity and improve population health, longevity, and quality of life throughout the life course. Starting early isn't an option, it's essential.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors’ responsibilities were as follows—all authors: wrote, read and approved the final manuscript.

The authors reported no funding received for this work.

Author disclosures: The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Perspective articles allow authors to take a position on a topic of current major importance or controversy in the field of nutrition. As such, these articles could include statements based on author opinions or point of view. Opinions expressed in Perspective articles are those of the author and are not attributable to the funder(s) or the sponsor(s) or the publisher, Editor, or Editorial Board of Advances in Nutrition . Individuals with different positions on the topic of a Perspective are invited to submit their comments in the form of a Perspectives article or in a Letter to the Editor.

Abbreviations used: DM, diabetes mellitus; SNAP, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program.

Contributor Information

Barbara J Deal, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.

Mark D Huffman, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA. The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, Australia.

Helen Binns, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA. Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.

Neil J Stone, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.

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