The Role of Physical Activity in Childhood Obesity
The childhood obesity epidemic has challenged parents, schools, and society to address the many and often complex causes of unhealthy weight gain. Since 1975, the number of overweight and obese children in the US has more than quadrupled from 4% to 18%. A growing body of evidence shows that obese children become obese adults, exposing entire generations to increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and a range of related comorbidities.
Physical activity alone cannot prevent childhood obesity, but it will play a vital role in lowering obesity rates alongside substantial changes in diet, food availability, and other efforts.
What Is Childhood Obesity?
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) defines obesity as a body mass index (BMI) above the 95th percentile. BMI is based on an age and growth chart with sex-specific ranges. Pediatric specialists use these charts to evaluate patient health plans and guide public health initiatives in the US and abroad.
The Causes of Childhood Obesity
There is no specific cause of childhood obesity. In every case, personal (genetics, diet, physical activity) and societal factors (income levels, food availability, childcare) converge to create conditions that make obesity more likely and challenging to overcome.
Diet. Eating calorically dense, high-fat, high-sugar foods contributes to unhealthy weight gain. Certain foods, such as fast foods, microwavable meals, fruit juices, and soft drinks, contribute to obesity in children and adults.
Genetics. Families may have a genetic disposition toward being overweight or obese. This factor is often exacerbated or linked to preventable lifestyle choices, such as poor diet or lack of exercise.
Lack of physical activity. Video games, television, and screen time contribute to a sedentary lifestyle. Inactivity lowers daily calorie expenditure and leads to weight gain. In the long run, lack of exercise can lead to obesity and related comorbidities.
Socioeconomic factors. Lower-income families and underserved communities tend to experience higher rates of obesity. Food deserts, the lack of safe places to exercise, and a reliance on low-cost, low-quality food products contribute to an increased risk of obesity.
Other causes of childhood obesity include medication, stress and mental health, and food intolerances that lead to weight gain.
Health Risks Associated with Childhood Obesity
Unhealthy weights negatively impact physical and mental health, especially in young adults. There is a host of highly correlated risk factors for childhood obesity, including:
Type 2 diabetes
Dyslipidemia
Hypertension
Sleep apnea
Asthma
Depression
Heart disease
The Size of the Problem
Childhood obesity statistics confirm a growing epidemic. In the US, 19.7% of children aged 2-19 met the clinical definition of obesity, including 22.2% of kids between 12 and 19. Certain demographics face higher instances of obesity, including:
Hispanic children: 26.2%
Black children: 24.8%
White children: 16.6%
Asian children: 9%
One in three American children is overweight or obese, underscoring just how many young people are a few pounds away from increased risk of negative health outcomes.
The Role of Physical Activity in Childhood Obesity
Researchers in the US and abroad generally agree that diet modifications offer the most immediate and impactful benefits in lowering body weight. Dietary changes are enhanced by regular physical activity, but there’s little evidence that children or adults can “outrun” an unhealthy diet.
The Perfect Time to Get Moving
While individual habits vary widely, researchers have found a 60% decline in physical activity between children 11-15 and those 5-10 years old. As schools move away from mandatory physical activity and recess, kids lose outlets for exercise. That increases the importance of providing after-school activities that promote exercise and social connections.
How You Can Help
There are concrete, actionable ways to lower the risk of childhood obesity that parents can pursue. Work with your pediatrician or healthcare provider to safely prevent unhealthy weight gain or lower weight. Are parents responsible for childhood obesity? No, but no one has a larger role in supporting healthy habits.
Limit screen time. Kids spend an average of 4-6 hours per day on screens; teens spend even more time on devices at roughly 9 hours per day. Limit time watching TV or playing video games to two hours or less.
Get some sleep. 60% of pre-teens and 70% of high schoolers don’t get the recommended amount of sleep. Make sure your child has plenty of time to rest based on these guidelines:
Ages 3-5 - 10-13 hours of sleep
Ages 6-12 - 9-12 hours of sleep
Ages 13-18 - 8-10 hours of sleep
Set an example. Family involvement is critical to reshaping sedentary habits. Commit to walking, riding bikes, or running with your child. Consider commuting to work and school by bike when possible and helping your child discover activities that encourage physical movement, including team sports. Teens should get about 60 minutes of physical activity daily - see if you can keep up!
A Healthy Start
Obese children tend to become obese adults. While it’s normal to experience weight fluctuations in childhood, parents should be aware of the long-term effects of being overweight or obese. These risks are elevated based on family health history, so talk to your doctor for guidance and support. You can position your child and your family to be healthy, active, and happy.
Get Moving with Norte Youth Cycling
Cycling is an accessible, lifelong activity that gets kids on the move. We know that physical activity is important to maintaining a healthy weight and creating confident, independent kids who are ready for anything. Learn more about our work and subscribe to our newsletter.