Trends in Obesity-Related Behaviors for Children and Adolescents

Recent research of food intake, media use, and physical activity in children

and adolescents.

Food Intake Over the Past 30 years:

• The portion size of soft drinks & fruit drinks for 2-18 year olds has increased and consequently the percentage of sugar-sweetened beverage has also increased. Soda, energy, and sport drinks provide 118 calories per day and are one of the top three sources of calories among Americans ages 2-18 years.

• The daily total calorie intake has increased by 180 kcal per day. The leading source of calories in children and adolescents ages 2-18 years is grain-based desserts.

• Calories from carbohydrates for boys and girls have increased by 7.4%. Sources of carbohydrate often contain too much added sugar and refined grain and not enough fiber.

• Percentage of daily calories eaten away from home has increased. Evidence shows that children and adolescents who eat out, particularly at fast food restaurants, are at increased risk of overweight and obesity.

“Children, families, and people in general are at every turn surrounded—even bombarded—by inducements that

discourage physical activity and encourage overeating.”

“Families, schools, and communities play important roles in

supporting changes in eating and physical

activity behaviors for children and adolescents.”

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Media

Many obesity related challenges arise from changes

in the environment that reflect technological advances and labor saving devices. This includes the recreational use

of digital media.

Hours of media use have increased to 7 hours and 38 minutes in 2009 from 6 hours and 19 minutes in 1999.

Television

Children and adolescents ages 8-18 view 45 minutes more TV each day

than they did a decade ago.

Video Games

The use of video games has increased by an average of 45 minutes per day

since 1999.

Computer Use

The amount of time spent on computers by adolescents and children has

increased by an hour per day since 1999.

Social Media

In the last 3 years, the use of social networking has increased by

approximately 20% among US teens.

• Availability of leisure time has decreased by approximately 9 hours per week since 1981.

• Physical education classes attended daily by high school students has decreased by about 8% since 1991.

• The number of students ages 5-15 years that walk to school has decreased by 8% since 1977.

Encourage children to do muscle-strengthening

and bone- strengthening activities at least 3 days a

week.

• As of 2009, only 18.4% of high school students were meeting physical activity guidelines. It is recommended that children and adolescents ages 6-17 years participate in 60 min or more of physical activity daily.

Physical Activity

Children and adolescents are encouraged to spend

no more than 1 to 2 hours each day watching

television, playing electronic games or using the computer. No screen time is recommended for children under 2 years.

Citations: Accelerating Progress in Obesity Prevention: Solving the Weight of the Nation. Institute of Medicine 2012. Guidelines for Americans 2010, USDA.