Childhood Obesity Worldwide

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While American childhood obesity may have leveled off in recent years, the level is still too high. Of the English speaking world, the United States still has the largest population of obese children. Over 23% boys and 19% of girls in America are obese. However, America is no longer the world leader in obese children. We have been overtaken by Polynesia, over 25% of their girls and 22% of their boys are now obese.  
The worldwide level of childhood obesity has increased rapidly. The WHO has recently conducted a study that found that the number of obese children has increased from 11 million to 120 million worldwide in just 4 decades. These numbers do not include the children who qualify as overweight. Should this trend continue, we are on course to have more obese children than underweight children.
The WHO is citing lack of physical activity, poor nutritional educations, and an overabundance of energy dense foods as the cause of this rapid increase. The WHO is calling for legislation that will more heavily tax energy dense foods, limit their advertisement, and better labeling. In our attempts to reverse this rising trend the RDs role is crucial. We have the ability to educate people and help them to make the healthful choices in an environment full of tempting options. As we move further, RDs need to be at the table to advocate both for healthier regulations and our role in the changing environment.
SG


Nebehay, Stephanie. “Child and teen obesity soars tenfold worldwide in 40 years: WHO report.”             Reuters. Oct. 2017, retrieved from http://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-           obesity/child-and-teen-obesity-soars-tenfold-worldwide-in-40-years-who-report-        idUSKBN1CF347. 

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