Backed by Research – 5 Risk Factors for Childhood Obesity

Last updated on April 14, 2022

Childhood Obesity is becoming more of an issue each year, especially in the United States. The risk factors for childhood obesity may seem like a simple one. However, some risks factors make the problem worse, particularly for children. Some of these risk factors for childhood obesity are diet and lifestyle, socioeconomic status, family history, and genetics. All of these factors, along with a few others, affect the risk for obesity. Often these factors cannot be controlled by the person at risk. Thus, it is critical to understand these risks and how they affect children.

Dietary and lifestyle Risk Factors for Childhood Obesity

One of the more obvious risk factors for childhood obesity is diet and lifestyle. One article states that “Today’s lifestyle promotes the development of obesity. The lack of physical activity, sedentary lifestyle and energy-rich diet are the main causes of an excess body fat accumulation.”¹ The article goes on to talk about examples of an unhealthy lifestyle.

They talk about screen time, high-calorie snacks, processed foods, and eating at restaurants as the most common. The data shows an increase in screen time, especially for young children. That is primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is only making the issue of childhood obesity worse. A child needs a balanced, healthy diet and adequate amounts of physical activity. When they lack these things, it puts them at risk for childhood obesity. 

Socioeconomic Risk Factors for Childhood Obesity

Income levels pose a risk for childhood obesity as well. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that “Low-income children and adolescents are more likely to be obese than their higher-income counterparts.² This could be a result of multiple things. A few examples of this would be:

A few examples of this would be:

1.  Access to healthy foods
2. Safe areas to play and get physical activity
3. A lack of general knowledge on a healthy diet and lifestyle
4. A household where both parents/guardians work and cannot supervise the child’s diet or activity level

That is a multileveled factor, and there have been exceptions in many cases. But most of the data shows a connection between lower-income and higher obesity rates in children. 

Familal Risk Factors for Childhood Obesity

Another risk factor to consider is family history and the environment in which a child grows up. If family members are obese or at risk for obesity, it is very likely the children of that family will be at risk or be obese as well.

Environmental Risk fractors For Childhood Obesity

A study reports that a person is more likely to be obese if a close friend or family member puts on some pounds. Even if the friend or relation lives many miles away indicating that social ties may contribute to obesity.”³ Children often grow up to be like their parents, relatives, friends, teachers, etc. When those people are obese or lead unhealthy lifestyles, it puts the child at risk of developing those same habits and becoming obese. 

Genetic Risk Factors for Childhood Obesity

In the past, the role of genetics in childhood obesity was unclear, and the data available currently are still very new. However, there has been some connection drawn between genetics and obesity. One study was done on a particular genome and found “more than 50% heritability of BMI and ultimately obesity.”⁴ The data is beginning to show that obesity may be somewhat heritable. It is just uncertain as to what extent it is. 

Conclusion – Focus on Modifiable Risk Factors for Childhood Obesity

There are many risk factors for childhood obesity, some of which can be changed, while others are not. In saying all of this, it is crucial to understand that there is still a lot of hope in the fight against childhood obesity. When we know the risk factors, we can identify who is at risk for obesity and then address the modifiable risk factors. While the risk factors are daunting at times, they are also the keys to potentially lowering the rates of childhood obesity.

Sources:

1. D;, K. K. R. (2013). Bad eating habits as the main cause of obesity among children. Pediatric endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism. Retrieved October 11, 2021, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25577898/#:~:text=Today%27s%20lifestyle%20promotes%20the%20development%20of%20obesity.%20The,is%20deficient%20in%20elements%20necessary%20for%20proper%20development.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015, November 6). Obesity and Socioeconomic Status in Children and Adolescents: United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved October 11, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db51.htm.
3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2015, July 6). Friends and family may play a role in obesity. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved October 11, 2021, from https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/friends-family-may-play-role-obesity.
4. Scienceofbiogenetics, & Raghunath, D. R. (2021, January 9). Genetics of childhood obesity. Science of Bio Genetics. Retrieved October 11, 2021, from https://www.scienceofbiogenetics.com/genetics-of-childhood-obesity/.

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