Children & Heart Disease
Story By: Paula Kirchner RN, BSN, CPN
Source: Wong’s Essentials of pediatric Nursing 7th Edition 2005 Elsevier Publishing’
The prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity is increasing at an alarming rate in the United States as well as in other developed and developing countries. Prevalence among children and adolescents has doubled in the past 2 decades in the United States.
Obesity is associated with significant health problems in the pediatric age group and is an important early risk factor for much of adult morbidity and morality.
Body mass index (BMI) is the ration of weight in kilograms to the square of height in meters. BMI is widely used to define overweight and obesity, because it correlates well with more accurate measures of body fatness and is derived from commonly available data – weight and height.
BMI between 85th and 95th percentile for age and sex is considered at risk for overweight, and BMI at or above the 95th percentile is considered overweight or obese.
Possible medical problems include:
Cardiovascular Health – hypertension, hypercholesterolemia
Endocrine System – Insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes, menstrual irregularity
Mental Health – depression, low self-esteem
Pulmonary – sleep apnea, asthma
And more.
Prevention is aimed at recognizing the increasing BMI. Optimal approaches to prevention strategies include changes in dietary practices, and increase in physical activity. Dietary practices should be fostered that encourage moderation rather than over consumption.
Help parents, teachers, coaches, and others who influence youth to discuss health habits, not body habitus, as part of their efforts to control overweight and obesity.
