There are numerous risk factors that can contribute to child obesity. These factors include:
  • genetics,
  • physical activity,
  • diet and nutrition,
  • lifestyle

Genetics plays a small role in childhood obesity according to Segal & Sanchez (2001). Kolerzko et al. (2002), further discusses syndromatic obesity. Syndromatic obesity is a genetic defect associated with diseases such as, Laurence Moon Bardet Biedl syndrome, trisomy 21, and others. Another form of genetic induced obesity is monogenetic disorder, which is a genetic mutation of various genes. These genes are the leptin gene, the melanocortin-receptor gene, and the pro-opio-melanocortin gene. Other syndromes like Carpenter and Cohen syndromes, and other causes such as some medications like valproic acid, can also increase the chances of child obesity.

Low levels of physical activities, which have been connected to watching television and/or playing video games, have been a direct link to the causes of child obesity. With television viewing increasing, there are fewer times children can participate in physical activities. Saelens et al. (2003), states that the balance between energy output and input is unbalanced shown by the decrease of physical activities, and eating habits; also talks about how watching television can link to an increase in food consumption. They mention that food commercials on television have a greater influence with obese people and can be a cause of stimulus for eating. Diet and nutrition are greatly influenced by peers, media, genetics, parents, and environmental factors. According to Sowan et al. (2000), the growth of infants was affected by family stress. These stresses include stress from poor relationships among the child�s parents, maternal depression, and poor support of the mother. Socioeconomic status, more specifically low socioeconomic status, has an elevated rate of child obesity. Influences, whether it is family or household, can have an impact on the child affecting their growth and development. Factors that Sowan et al. (2000) found that can affect childhood obesity are unemployment, common law marriage, parent�s lack of, or low education, and father not present in the child�s life.

Maternal influences have also been linked to child obesity. Mothers who smoke generally tend to have lighter babies compared to mothers who did not smoke during pregnancy. This is followed by a more rapid growth rate a few months after the birth, leading to childhood obesity.
 

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Nursing Students of Kwantlen University College, Surrey, B.C
April 2003

References

Koletzko, B., Girrardet, J.P., Klish, W., Tabacco, O. (2002). Obesity on children and adolescents worldwide: Current views and future directions-working group report of the first world congress of pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition. Journal of Pediatric Gastroentorology and Nutrition, 35, S205-S212. Retrieved March 10, 2003 from Ovid online library.

Saelens, B.E., Daniels, S.R. (2003). Childhood obesity: causes and therapies. Current Opinion on Endocrinology & Diabetes, 10, 3-8, Retrieved March 10, 2003 from Ovid Online Library.

Segal, D.G., Sanchez, J.C. (2001). Childhood obesity in the year 2001. The Endocrinology, 11, 296-306. Retrieved March 10, 2003 from Ovid Online Library.

Sowan, N.A., Stember, M.L. (2000). Parental risk factors for infant obesity. American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing, 25 (5), 234-241. Retrieved March 10, 2003 from Ovid Online Library.
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