Childhood Obesity Facts

In 2015-16, 18.5% of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years in the United States had obesity, effecting about 13.7 million children.

In 2014-15, 17% of children aged 2-19 years in Knox County had obesity.

Obese children and adolescents have an increased risk for:

  • Heart disease
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Hypertension
  • Dyslipidemia
  • Stroke, liver & gallbladder disease
  • Sleep Apnea
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Gynecological problems
  • Cancers (breast, endometrial & colon)
  • Asthma
  • Psychological problems (anxiety & depression)
  • Low self-esteem & social problems

 

References

  1. Childhood Obesity Facts. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. June 2019. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html.
  2. 2014-2015 Community Health Assessment. Knox County Health Department. https://knoxcounty.org/health/pdfs/CHA_web_2015.pdf.
  3. Facts About Childhood Obesity. East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. 2020. https://www.etch.com/community/healthy-kids/eat-and-live-healthy/.
  4. Childhood Obesity Facts. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. September 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/causes.html.