April 10, 2018 – A parent brings his or her child in for an annual
checkup. The child is meeting developmental milestones and doesn’t
complain of illness or pain. But something stands out to the pediatrician;
a sign that problems could be on the way. It’s a mostly preventable,
but increasingly prevalent, problem among our nation’s youth –
childhood obesity.
Childhood obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) at or above the
95th percentile for children and teens of the same age and gender. According
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, childhood obesity affects
20.6 percent of adolescents (ages 12 to 19), 17.4 percent of children
(ages 6 to 11) and 9.4 percent of young children (ages 2 to 5) in the
United States.
“Obesity in children can lead to high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes
and other significant health problems,” says
Meredith Brazell, D.O., pediatrician,
Southeast Georgia Physician Associates-Camden Pediatrics, a strategic affiliate of Southeast Georgia Health System. “But
if you learn the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and adopt
healthy habits at an early age, it’s easier to stick with them.”
On Tuesday, April 24, 12-1 p.m., Brazell will present “Preventing
Childhood Obesity One Step at a Time” at the
Southeast Georgia Health System Camden Campus Conference Center. During the free lecture, she will discuss leading causes of childhood
obesity, preventive tips, and nutritional and activity-based steps she
follows with young patients.
“I find out what patients are already doing and then help them make
positive changes,” she says. “One of the easiest first steps
is cutting out – or at least cutting back on – juice and soda.
I compare sugar content in these beverages to candy bars, so patients
and families better understand the impact on their child’s health.”
Treating Obesity with Tact and Facts
In addition to diabetes and hypertension, a recent study from Cedars-Sinai
Medical Center links childhood obesity to an increased risk for sudden
cardiac arrest. Caused by defective electrical activity, this can occur
without warning and can be fatal.
“I don’t see many pediatric patients with cardiac disease,
but the more load you put on the heart, the harder it has to work,”
says Brazell. “However, I do see a lack of exercise tolerance, so
kids aren’t getting the 60-plus minutes daily they need. Unfortunately,
I also see children who are bullied because of their weight, as well as
patients who have high cholesterol or high triglycerides, which are markers
for future health problems.”
Childhood obesity is typically preventable and treatable with lifestyle
changes, which require family commitment. “A four-year-old with
obesity is not making his or her own health choices. It’s about
educating an entire family, using things like BMI charts as teaching tools,” she adds.
To register for the childhood obesity lecture, call 1-855-ASK-SGHS (1-855-275-7447);
a free light lunch will be provided.