Pediatric Pharmacy Association - Student Chapter at UMSOP

Happy Heart Month!!!

We continue today with Childhood Obesity – which is a complex health issue where a child is well above the normal or healthy weight for his or her age and height. The causes of excessive weight gain include behaviors (such as eating high-calorie, low-nutrient food and beverages, and not getting enough physical activity) and genetics. Additionally, making healthy food choices and getting exercise can be difficult in environments that do not support healthy habits (low affordability of healthy food options, lack of peer and social support, etc.).

Furthermore, obesity during childhood can do significant harm the body – with obese children more likely to have:

- High blood pressure and high cholesterol (risk factors for CVD)
- Increased risk of T1 and T2DM
- Breathing problems, such as asthma and sleep apnea
- Anxiety and depression
- Social problems such as bullying and stigma

Not to mention, children with obesity are more like to become obese adults (with increased risk of the health conditions above) ☹

As students and pharmacists, we can all work to educate our communities to follow healthy lifestyles that emphasize staying physically active and eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free dairy and a variety of lean proteins foods.

We can all make a difference in keeping hearts healthy! 💪

For more information on dietary and physical activity recommendations – follow these links!

Dietary Guidelines for Americans (https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov)

Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (https://health.gov/our-work/nutrition-physical-activity/physical-activity-guidelines/current-guidelines)



Resources:

[1] CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/index.html)

[2] AHA (https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.109.192215?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed)