By now, most people are acutely aware of the obesity epidemic that has spread throughout western, developed countries. But many may not realize just how widespread childhood obesity has become. From limited playground availability to an abundance of connected, digital devices, there are many root causes to explore.
So how exactly did we get here?
Root Causes of the Childhood Obesity Problem
These are some of the most important root causes of the childhood obesity problem to address:
A lack of physical play spaces. According to Matt Allison of Actively Play, “Play is something kids need to be healthy. Physical development is one benefit of play but there are many other benefits as well like social and emotional development. It’s important that kids have a space to be active and play outdoors. Playgrounds are an excellent opportunity for this because they are specifically designed for this purpose.” If there aren’t enough physical play spaces available, kids will have fewer opportunities to go outside and play. Currently, there are “play deserts,” or areas with no nearby, available playgrounds or parks, all over the country. Left with few, if any options, kids turn to TV, video games, and other sedentary activities to occupy themselves.
Restrictions and changes in social norms. We can also look at restrictions and changes in social norms. In decades past, kids were often allowed to play and wander freely, running around the neighborhood with their friends, free of adult supervision. These days, this level of freedom is practically inaccessible to most children, with parents preferring tighter leashes and more supervision. We also see changes in social norms with respect to lifestyle choices; today, people are much more accepting of sedentary lifestyles with minimal physical activity. If a child’s parents prefer sitting on the couch in front of a TV to activities like walking and hiking, the child will likely follow in their footsteps.
Digital devices. Sedentary lifestyles, which have made obesity more common, are also attributable to the rise in the availability and prominence of digital devices. It’s much easier to make excuses for not going outside and playing when there’s a fascinating movie to watch on TV, or a new video game that everyone is talking about. As adults, many of us spend our waking hours merely floating from one digital device to the next one, working on the computer, playing on our phones, and eventually vegging in front of the TV.
Cheap, unhealthy foods. Food brands have always been motivated to produce tastier, denser, cheaper, more easily preserved foods. And in some ways, this has been a great gift to humanity, allowing malnutrition and starvation to become things of the past in the developed world. However, we now must contend with an overabundance of cheap, unhealthy foods that many people don’t realize are unhealthy. If your diet consists of nothing but highly processed junk foods, obesity becomes much more likely.
Boredom and stress. Psychological issues like boredom and stress can also promote obesity in children. Today’s children are more stressed than ever, with higher academic standards to meet, looming social pressure because of social media, and exposure to issues previous generations might never have heard about. They can also feel bored or listless, even after infinitely scrolling to consume content on a digital device.
Perpetuation of obesity through families. Children born into obese families are at increased risk of obesity. As adults everywhere in the developed world keep getting more obese, it’s only natural that their children follow suit. In this way, the childhood obesity epidemic is merely an extension of the greater obesity epidemic.
Prescription drugs. Though less influential than some of the other factors on this list, it’s worth noting that children are increasingly being prescribed medications that may increase the likelihood of obesity as well.
Toward a Better Future
So, what steps can we take to reduce childhood obesity and keep our children healthier and happier?
Set a better example. One of the best things you can do is be a better example, especially if you have kids of your own. If you make a conscious effort to eat healthy foods in reasonable portions and live a physically active lifestyle, your kids are more likely to do the same.
Encourage free play. Encourage your kids to play freely, preferably without adult supervision. Introduce them to new play spaces and let them explore their world.
Note: I don’t think it’s a good idea to include the line “preferably without adult supervision.” In a playground context, that is not encouraged. I know what you mean though but I’d prefer to avoid confusion or misunderstanding about that.
Provide healthier food choices. Give your child tastier, more nutritious food choices. Instead of offering sides like French fries or potato chips, offer sides like Mandarin oranges or celery and peanut butter.
Monitor activities and intervene. Pay attention to how your child spends their time, and don’t be afraid to intervene to set limits. For example, if your kid plays too many video games, set and enforce a limit of playing only one hour a day.
We won’t be able to eliminate childhood obesity overnight. But once we better understand how this epidemic emerged, we can better address the root causes and eventually help our children become fitter and more satisfied with life.
