I hope you read Susan Shinn’s article about “Lets Move for Better World” campaign in yesterday’s paper. Like us, Techno Gym, the wellness company, is seeing a scary increase in childhood and adolescent obesity and we are trying to find out ways to fight this. But, for some reason, childhood obesity does not “scare” parents as other diseases do; such as cancer, heart disease or diabetes.

The following childhood obesity facts are reported by the Center of Disease Control (CDC):

• Obesity percentage of children age 6-11 increased from 7 percent in 1980 to 18 percent in 2012 and adolescents 12-19 increased from 5 percent to 21 percent.

• In 2012, more than one third of children and adolescents are overweight or obese.

• Overweight is defined as having excess body weight for a particular height from fat, muscles, bones, water, or a combination of these factors. Obesity is defined as having excess body fat.

• Overweight and obesity are a result of “caloric imbalance” — too few calories expended (burned) for the calories consumed (eaten) — and are affected by various genetic, behavioral and environmental factors.

Obesity leads to having a higher risk for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure.

In a population-based sample of 5-17 year olds, 70 percent (!) of obese youth had at least one risk factor of cardiovascular disease. There also was a higher risk of having pre-diabetes with a high risk for diabetes.

Also, children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem.

So, after reading all these facts by the CDC, why do most parents take childhood obesity so lightly?

When you read the long-term affects, it only gets worse. Obese children are most likely to be obese adults with adult health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer or osteoarthritis.

Other facts linked to childhood and adolescent obesity:

• Based on diet recommendation established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, only 2 percent of children consume a healthy diet. Three out of 10 high school seniors reported eating vegetables. The common “vegetable” consumed are in form of fries or potato chips. As a high school track and field and cross country coach, I sadly know this to be true.

• Childhood obesity could reduce average life expectancy by 5 years or more over the next several decades.

• A typical child/adolescent watches 4-5 hours of TV per day. At Salisbury Pediatrics, they call it “screen time.” My son is not obese and is very active. He does not watch TV often but he does game and use his phone which all counts as screen time. The more screen time, the more likely they are to gain excess weight.

Thirty years ago, children ate one snack a day. Today, most children eat three snacks a day, adding too many calories.

Obese children miss school four times more than non-obese children. It has not been established if its due to illness or being bullied, teased, and/or embarrassed about participating in physical activities.

Our healthcare cost has skyrocketed to $14 billion a year —  directly related to childhood obesity. If this trend continues by 2030, obesity-related diseases are estimated to increase by $48-$66 billion per year in the U.S.

Wow, scary right? And you know what the main cause for childhood obesity is? Inactivity.

So lets move and burn calories! When I grew up, the statement was “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Now, “60 minutes of exercise a day can keep the doctor away.” Put the smartphones, laptops, games and iPads away and start moving!

Salisbury Pediatrics is a great resource to get your child and whole family steered in the right direction by eating healthier and moving more. And, of course,  we will assist you and your family at the YMCA to a better and healthier lifestyle. Remember, obesity is not cancer, heart disease or diabetes, but it puts your child at a much greater risk to develop one or more of theses diseases.

So, lets move for a better world!

Ester Marsh ACSM Cpt Health and Fitness Director JF Hurley family YMCA