Asthma and Childhood Obesity

ASTHMA AND CHILDHOOD OBESITY Many of us are aware that childhood obesity puts our children at a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and heart complications - but did you know that childhood obesity is linked to asthma as well? Fact: Childhood obesity increases a child's risk of asthma development by 52%. While research has not been able to determine a direct cause-and-effect relationship between obesity and asthma, there is a definite correlation. Let's take a look at some of the unhealthy lifestyle habits of today's children. ASTHMA AND OBESITY ON THE RISE Both childhood obesity and asthma are leading public health problems. 1980 to 2000 Today (2015) 300% 35% 74% 8.3% 8.3% of children Childhood obesity increased 300% have asthma Self-reported asthma in children increased 74% 35% of children are obese Research hasn' found one direct link between childhood obesity and asthma, but there are plenty of associating factors. OVERLAPPING FACTS & FACTORS Unhealthy Diet Inactivity Unhealthy Diet Only 2% of U.S. children eat healthy according to standards defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Our portions sizes today are 2 to 5 times bigger than they were in years past. Children are eating more, not realizing they are consuming unnecessary calories. 1 in 5 teens drink about a meal's worth of sugar in sugary beverages throughout the day. Soft Drink Trends Before 1950 – 6.5 oz. cans 1950s – 12 oz. cans Snacking used to be once per day. 1990s - 20 oz. plastic bottles 2010s - 42 oz. contoured Now 1 in 5 children have 6 snacks per day. astic bottles 31% Children consume 31% more calories olsio compared to 40 years ago. There are less healthy food options in lower-income areas. Healthy food is often more expensive. 10.9% of individuals with asthma are living below the poverty level. Inactivity 60 minutes 1 in every 4 children does not participate in a single physical activity throughout the day. Excess weight makes it harder to breathe (resulting in asthma) especially when exerting oneself – yet avoidance of physical activity often leads to unhealthy weight gain (resulting in obesity). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend 60 minutes of moderate to Children spend 4 to 5 hours per day being still (on average): watching TV, using the computer, or playing video games. vigorous physical activity per day (for children and adolescents). 75% of today's youth do not meet this standard. Be informed and take the appropriate measures to ensure a comprehensive, healthy lifestyle for your child. Learn more at SPARK PE | www.sparkpe.org SPARK COUNTERING CHILDHOOD OBESITY SINCE 1989 Resources: http://www.npjournal.org/article/S1555-4155(10)00358-2/fulltext https://www.unitypoint.org/blankchildrens/article.aspx?id=a08c96a2-c311-40d3-8eee-93d15f92b7ef http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5101a1.htm https://www.healthiergeneration.org/about_childhood_obesity/get_informed/ http://www.letsmove.gov/learn-facts/epidemic-childhood-obesity http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/06/childhood-obesity-rate_n_3714436.html http://www.cdc.gov/asthma/asthmadata.htm http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/sugary-drinks-fact-sheet/