In 1960, only 4 percent of children were obese. Today, that number has quadrupled. Sixteen percent of American children aged 2 to 19 years are obese. African-American girls and Mexican-American girls and boys are disproportionately affected. Most of these obese children have or will develop risk factors for chronic illnesses that could reduce their lifespan and the quality of their lives.

Childhood obesity significantly increases the chances of developing high cholesterol, hypertension and glucose intolerance. Once rare in childhood, type 2 diabetes is quickly becoming common. One implication of the onset of type 2 diabetes in childhood is that young adults may develop renal failure and impaired vision. Overweight adolescents have a 70 percent increased risk of becoming obese adults. Obesity in adulthood greatly increases the risks of developing heart disease, diabetes, stroke, arthritis and some forms of cancer. The medical costs of obesity for adults in the United States are almost $150 billion annually and account for 9 percent of the national health care budget.

The causes of childhood obesity include both increased caloric intake and reduced physical activity. Sugar-sweetened beverages have become a regular part of a child’s diet, and portion sizes have increased. The lack of access to healthful foods may reduce the options for minority children in inner-city neighborhoods. The absence of supermarkets and a reliance on convenience stores means fewer fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as a lower likelihood of low-fat or no-fat milk.

Less walking and bicycling, together with increased reliance on cars for children to get to school, have reduced opportunities for physical activity as part of everyday life. Physical education and recess have been eliminated or curtailed in many schools. In poorer neighborhoods, lack of access to recreational facilities and concern about safety may further limit physical activity.

Although these seem to be urban issues, rural communities share some of these problems. Quality grocery stores may be inaccessibly distant, and small communities often lack recreational amenities.

The limited absence of opportunities for physical activity have been paralleled by an increase in computer use, video gaming and television viewing. One study found that a typical child, aged 6 to 11 years, was exposed to over 10,000 food advertisements on television per year, many of which promoted high-calorie foods. Furthermore, children tend to snack on those foods while watching television.

Promising News

The good news is that there is still time to reverse this dangerous trend. We must increase our efforts to improve the availability of healthful choices for our young people. More importantly, we must also create policies that support a healthy lifestyle and healthy communities.

A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that for the first time in several decades, the increase in childhood obesity in the United States has leveled off. Reasons for this plateau are uncertain. Possible causes include increased public awareness, more effective programmatic interventions, and improved choices in schools. At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we are taking significant steps to educate policy-makers, families and the general public about healthy living. We supported efforts by the Department of Health & Human Services to develop the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (www.health.gov/paguidelines), which provide science-based guidance to help Americans aged 6 and older improve their health through physical activity. Furthermore, we are actively promoting policies to improve access to healthier foods and safe facilities for physical activity, and to reduce access to unhealthy foods and beverages.

I believe the reach of Boys & Girls Clubs can make a profound impact on the health and wellness of children. For example, the array of Sports, Fitness & Recreation and Health & Life Skills programs provides children with opportunities to become active, develop healthy habits, attain positive self-concepts, build good decision-making skills, increase personal safety, and form meaningful relationships and strong family support. A recent evaluation of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Triple Play program by Youth Development Strategies Inc. demonstrated that participants become more active, eat more fruits and vegetables, and have a greater sense of self-mastery.

The children you serve are among those at greatest risk. I encourage you to review and modify the activities and foods available in your Clubs. We need your help to halt this epidemic.

Dr. William Dietz is the Director of CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

Disclaimer: The findings and conclusions of this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.