Obesity in children and gender disparity

Obesity is increasingly a health issue in the United States, and many other countries as well. It was interesting to find the association of socioeconomic status and obesity varies across different societies (Hossain et al., 2007). Low SES is related to less time of doing physical activity, less nutritious food, and some psychosocial factors such as stress (Gearhart et al., 2008). In addition, lower SES people may have less health consciousness and lower capacity to think about the ways to keep healthy. These factors partly contribute to unhealthy behavior and can lead to obesity in developed countries. However, the case is different in developing countries. In China, for example, the obesity rates in large cities is higher, where is influenced by globalization and eating pattern is changing to high intake of high fat and sweetened food – Western style. The reasons why people in higher SES groups are at risk of obesity in China may include cultural norms that view round body shapes as prosperity - in particular for middle-age women, the greater capacity to obtain rich nutrition, and lack of physical activity (Gearhart et al., 2008). Although the relationship of SES and obesity is different between countries, what the same is that unhealthy eating diet, less physical activity, and poor self-management could cause obesity (Zimmet et al., 2001). 

In this sense, I was wondering how SES affects obesity and physical activity among children. I think it is related to parental education levels, and peer influence. For example, parents in low SES whose work schedule is tight may have no time to educate the children or involve in recreational physical activity with children. Besides, the eating diet that parents prepare for the children can form children’s future habit in adulthood. Fast food, which is cheap, available and convenient, usually is primary choice in low SES family. But can we make a change? I recall that the food items of McDonald’s in China is actually different with those in the US. There are more fresh vegetables in the hamburger, and more options such as fish hamburger, red bean pie, vegetable soup, and even rise and beef package. I think it is because the company attempts to cater to the preference of Chinese. Although fast food is still not a healthy choice, it is possible to make it healthier. Apart from family education, I think the peers of children also play a role. If the peers pay less time on physical activity, then the children would have less motivation and interest on engagement, since there are little peers ganging out with.

I am also curious about the role of gender in obesity. For example, boys in China have much higher obesity rates than girls in all age-specific subgroups (Wu, 2006). Is it just because of genetic factors, or because Chinese parents tend to have a tolerance for obesity among boys, and girls are assumed to keep a thin body image? Is there any gender inequality, such as preference for boys and thus over rich nutrition is offered to boys, rather than girls? I didn't find evidence for these questions, but I think it might be also related to socioeconomic and behavioral factors. For example, the rapid economic development of China makes parents are able to and willing to provide rich nutrition to children. It is normally assumed that boys need more foods than girls physiologically. Also, I read a report which proposed that many boys drink soft drinks more frequently than girls, and many boys adopt sedentary behavior such as playing computer games. By contrast, in many Western countries, the prevalence of obesity is higher in girls than boys (Song, 2013). It would be interesting to look at the comparison. I just find some assumption saying genetic factors play a significant role on the gender differences in Western countries (DeLany et al., 2004).

Therefore, what can we do to deal with the problem of obesity and improve physical activity? It is consistently a big challenge. We can easily suggest dietary modification and encourage physical activity, but it is difficult to accomplish. I think children obesity should receive much more attention, no matter from parents, family, community, or nation. Early life experience and habit in childhood would determine preference and decision-making in adulthood. Children establish eating and behavioral patterns since childhood, sometimes following parents without consciousness. Family involvement and parents’ model are very important (McLennan, 2004).

Reference:

Gearhart, R. F., Gruber, D. M., & Vanata, D. F. (2008). Obesity in the lower socio-economic status segments of American society. Forum on Public Policy. Retrieved from: http://forumonpublicpolicy.com/archivespring08/gearhart.pdf

John McLennan (2004). Obesity in children. Retrieved from:  http://softballone.com/rfe/obesity.pdf

Yangfeng Wu. (2006). Overweight and obesity in China. BMJ. 2006 August 19; 333(7564): 362–363.

Yi Song et al. (2013). Secular Trends of Obesity Prevalence in Urban Chinese Children from 1985 to 2010: Gender Disparity. Retrieved from:  http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0053069

DeLany JP, Bray GA, Harsha DW, Volaufova J (2004) Energy expenditure in African–American and white boys and girls in a 2-year follow-up of the Baton Rouge Children's Study. Am J Clin Nutr 79: 268–273.