Ninth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

Obesity is defined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for children and teens of the same age and sex. Although there has been a recent decline in the prevalence of pre-school aged childhood obesity in the United States, the overall prevalence amongst all children, including special populations, remains high. There are various health-related consequences of obesity in children including psychosocial effects, hyperlipidemia, sleep apnea, type 2- diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma, musculoskeletal injuries and others. Factors contributing to childhood obesity can be genetic, behavioral and environmental. Reduced physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle are primary factors for the current obesity epidemic. Engaging in physical activity and improving physical fitness in children with and without disabilities, are areas of focus of Healthy People 2020. Healthcare professionals have the opportunity to play an important role in the prevention of childhood obesity and assist in promoting a healthy lifestyle in children. This presentation will discuss current trends in childhood obesity, strategies to prevent and improve childhood obesity, physical activity recommendation guidelines for children and youth with and without disabilities, cardiovascular response to exercise in children and the role of the healthcare professional in addressing childhood obesity.