The New Malnutrition Crisis: Obesity

Rates of Childhood Obesity are on the Rise

During the past three decades, the prevalence of overweight among young people in the United States more than tripled. Santa Cruz County itself has a rate of childhood overweight above the state average. Overweight children have a greater risk of more serious health problems, like Type 2 diabetes, asthma, high cholesterol levels, and depression.

Hunger and Obesity: Twin Problems of Poverty

Ironically, hunger and obesity are linked problems in America’s poorest communities. As families seek to stretch fewer dollars further, children from low-income families often eat foods that are higher in fats and sugar and lower in critical nutrients. Unfortunately, healthy food is out of the reach of their parents’ pockets. As a result, the obesity crisis affects low-income people at disproportionately larger rates.

Childhood Obesity Carries over into Adulthood

Children who are overweight are more likely to remain so as adults, with an estimated 75% of overweight adolescents being obese as young adults. Obese adults are at increased risk for life-threatening problems such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer. In addition, costs for health care in the U.S. attributable to obesity total more than $90 billion per year.

To read a full report on the state of Santa Cruz County’s youth health, click here.

Read more about an exciting new California plan to address obesity here.