The Childhood

Obesity Epidemic
Amaan Syed
 Table of Contents

Introduction Studies
01 Importance of discussion
02 Treatments and what we can
do

Analysis &
Conclusions
03 Comparison
Analysis of studies and what
04 Future Directions
we can learn
 01
Introduction
It isn’t that bad, right?
Obesity is one of the most prevalent diseases
afflicting not just the US, but around the world
as well. However, it’s getting increasingly
prevalent in children as well.
 Breakdown of Obesity
Abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents health risks
BMI over 25 is overweight and over 30 is obese
Increases the risk of several deadly and hindering diseases such as:
● Diabetes
● Cardiovascular disease
● Kidney, liver, colon, pancreatic cancer

WHO reports that 1975 to 2016, the prevalence of overweight or obese

children and adolescents aged 5–19 years increased more than
four-fold from 4% to 18% globally.
 At Home
14.7 million individuals in the US
live with obesity.

Predisposition from genetics,

environment and familial factors
exacerbate the sedentary lifestyle
affiliated with a Western diet.
 “If the childhood obesity epidemic remains
unchecked, it will condemn many of our kids
to shorter lives, as well as emotional and
financial burdens of poor health”
—Richard Carmona (Former US Surgeon General)
02 Studies
 What can be done?

Study 1 Study 2 Study 3

Physical and Nutrition Family-based community Hormone control through
Education intervention injections
 Study 1: Nutrition and Physical
Education Intervention
Intent
To evaluate the effectiveness of a
concentrated school-based nutrition
and education and physical activity
intervention program (Experimental)
Monitoring
Intervention group received
8 months of nutrition
education and rigorous
physical activity regiments
Focus Group Methods
Third and Fourth grade Two primary schools
students from primary assigned to control group
schools in Wuhan, China and intervention group
Results Conclusion
Improvements in the risk of poor Enhanced and integrative nutrition
well-being, social anxiety, decreased and physical education programs
blood pressure and glucose levels, that target children are critical in
and significantly higher helping the obese and curbing those
concentrations of HDL at risk
 Study 2: Family-Based Intervention
Intent Focus Group Methods
Families who had One parent/carer alongside a child
To use the MEND program (Mind,
overweight and obese would attend two sessions per week
Exercise, Nutrition…Do It!) for
children, who were either for 10 weeks (10,000) and results
children who were overweight and
referred or self-referred to would be compared to prior the
obese in England (cohort)
the program program

Monitoring Results Conclusion

Mean change in BMI decreased by Interventions that cultivate a healthy
Sessions addressed diet and physical
0.76 kg, self esteem scores as home environment and foster
activity through education, skills
measured by the Rosenberg scale relationships within the household are
training and motivational
increases significantly, psychological integral in children’s health and their
enhancement. Outcomes were
distress decreased as measured by a decisions to take care of their body.
measured through quantifiable
standardized questionnaire
statistics.
 Study 3: Leptin Injections
Intent Focus Group Methods
To analyze the effects of leptin on Nine-year-old girl in Pakistan Administration of recombinant methionyl
obesity, using a pharmaceutical who had congenital leptin leptin subcutaneously once daily for 12
approach to combat congenital deficiency, and thus had months. Dose with appropriate
obesity (could implicate for obesity increased appetite leading to concentrations were determined with age,
under other contexts as well) (case obesity, had trouble losing sex, and body composition
study) weight

Monitoring Results Conclusion

Lost 16.4 kg over the 12 month period.
Digital scale installed, daily weight Leptin injections are a very viable
Amount of body fat decreased by 15.6
measurements were taken. Height was treatment option for those that are
kg. Bone mineral increased, eating
measured at baseline and every two obese, but should be used either in
behaviors also changed, she was no
months after. Body composition also conjunction with other therapies, or
longer secretly seeking food or
measured. Meal monitoring and sleeping only used in dire circumstances.
demanded food between meals.
metabolic rates were taken.
 Comparisons
Education is Key
Both nutrition/physical education
programs plus family intervention
were very effective (Study 1 vs. 2)
Nature vs. Nurture
Genetics do have impact on
obesity, (Study 3) but with the right
environment it can be combated
naturally (Study 2)

Psychological vs.
Pharmaceutical Treatments
Study 1 and 2 demonstrating the effects of using a more
personal and vocal style of treatment while Study 3 is directly
a drug treatment.
 Discussion & Future Directions
Insulin stimulating drugs to attack
Ensuring healthy diet and obesity a different way
physical activity: ● Weight loss and diabetic medicines are making their
● Need to be emphasized by both the way into the obesity scene (liraglutide, semaglutide,
parents and the pediatrician tirzepatide, orlistat)
● Can help with increasing insulin to initiate more
Start early glucose uptake so that the body can feel satiated
● Much harder to manage the condition
as you age, if healthy eating habits are
taught early, it will stick with the
individual for a lifetime

● If parents exercising, motivating

children as well
 References
Farooqi, I. S., Jebb, S. A., Langmack, G., Lawrence, E., Cheetham, C. H., Prentice, A. M., Hughes, I. A., McCamish, M. A., &

O’Rahilly, S. (1999). Effects of Recombinant Leptin Therapy in a Child with Congenital Leptin Deficiency. New

England Journal of Medicine, 341(12), 879–884. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199909163411204

Fagg, J., Chadwick, P., Cole, T. J., Cummins, S., Goldstein, H., Lewis, H., Morris, S., Radley, D., Sacher, P., & Law, C. (2014).

From trial to population: A study of a family-based community intervention for childhood overweight implemented

at scale. International Journal of Obesity, 38(10), 1343–1349. https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2014.103

Yu, H., Li, F., Hu, Y., Li, C., Yuan, S., Song, Y., Zheng, M., Gong, J., & He, Q. (2020). Improving the Metabolic and Mental

Health of Children with Obesity: A School-Based Nutrition Education and Physical Activity Intervention in Wuhan,

China. Nutrients, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12010194