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Fact Sheet: Overweight and obesity in Australian children

Fact Sheet: Overweight and obesity in Australian children

The problem of overweight and obesity in Australian children

In 1995, the proportion of overweight or obese children and adolescents aged 2-17 years was 21% for boys and 23% for girls.(1)
There have also been significant increases in childhood obesity in recent years. The proportion of obese girls aged 7-15 years increased dramatically from 1.2% in 1985 to 5.5% in 1995, and the proportion of obese boys increased from 1.4% to 4.7%.(2)

A comparison of food and nutrient intake among Australian children aged 10-15 years showed that mean intake of energy and most nutrients (except fat, cholesterol and calcium) increased by 10% or more between 1985 and 1995 for both boys and girls.(3)
Children or adolescents who are overweight or obese are more likely in the short-term to develop gastrointestinal, endocrine or certain orthopaedic problems than children of normal weight and more likely in the longer-term to develop cardiovascular disease.(4)
The most immediate consequence of overweight as perceived by the children themselves is social discrimination. This is associated with poor self-esteem and depression.

The causes of overweight and obesity in children

Overweight and obesity in children and adolescents is generally caused by lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating patterns, or a combination of the two, with genetics and lifestyle both playing important roles in determining a child's weight.
Overweight and obesity is related to technological, social, economic and environmental changes that have reduced physical activity and increased food access and passive energy consumption.
Increases in sedentary activities (eg TV, video games), use of the motor car for transport, decreases in physical activity, and an increase in the consumption of high fat and high energy foods are likely to be foremost among the causes of the current epidemic.

Determination of overweight and obesity in children

Doctors and other health care professionals are the best people to determine whether a child or adolescent's weight is healthy, and they can assist in ruling-out rare medical conditions as the cause of unhealthy weight.
A Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated from measurements of height and weight. A child is seen to be obese if his/her BMI exceeds the cut-off point for his/her age. Growth charts, such as weight-for-age and weight-for-height, are also used to determine if children are overweight or obese.
Doctors and other health professionals also consider a child's age and growth patterns to determine whether his or her weight is healthy.

General suggestions

Overweight and obese children need support, acceptance, and encouragement from their parents and carers. Children should know that they are loved and appreciated regardless of their weight.
Parents and carers should focus on their child's health and positive qualities, not the child's weight.
Overweight and obese children should not be made to feel different. Gradually changing the family's physical activity and eating habits should be the focus for parents and carers, rather than the child's weight.

Physical activity suggestions

Be more physically active, or 'move more'. It is recommended that Australian adults accumulate at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week. Children should be active every day in as many ways as they can, and there are additional benefits in more vigorous activity.
Encourage family activities that include enjoyable physical activity for everyone.
Ensure a safe environment for children and their friends to engage in active play, eg swimming, cycling, ball sports.
Decrease the time spent in sedentary activities, eg watching TV, playing video and computer games.
Encourage 'active commuting' such as walking to school, the bus, or the shops when appropriate.

Healthy eating suggestions

Follow the 'Australian Guide to Health Eating':
Children should be encouraged to drink water and to limit intake of sugary beverages, eg soft drinks.
Plan for healthy snacks and provide healthy options such as fresh fruit and vegetables, instead of snacks that are high in fat, sugars, and low in essential nutrients.
Avoid the use of food as either a reward, or withholding as a punishment.
Plan to eat home-cooked meals together as a family as often as possible.
Discourage eating meals or snacks while watching TV.
Encourage children to eat a healthy breakfast as a good way to start the day.

References

(1) Booth M, Wake M, Armstrong T et al. 2001. The epidemiology of overweight and obesity among Australian children and adolescents, 1995-97. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 25: 162-9.
(2) Margarey AM, Daniels LA & Boulton TJC. 2001. Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Australian children and adolescents: reassessment of 1985 and 1995 data against new standard international definitions. Medical Journal of Australia, 174: 561-564.
(3) Cook T, Rutishauser I & Seelig M. 2001. Comparable data on food and nutrient intake and physical ameasurements from the 1983, 1985 and 1996 national surveys. Canberra: DHAC (unpublished).
(4) Must A & Strauss RS. 1999. Risks and consequences of childhood and adolescent obesity. International Journal of Obesity, 23(Suppl): S2-S11.
(5) National Centre for Health Statistics. Prevalence of Overweight Among Children and Adolescents: United States 1999. Center for Disease Control. Available: www.cdc.gov.au.

This web page is managed and authorised by Centre for Health Advancement of the NSW Department of Health. Last updated: 17 March, 2009