---
title: Childhood Obesity will Equal Future Problems
description: American’s love of fast food, sweets, salt-laden prepared foods and super-size servings is exacting a high price on our children. Childhood obesity r
---

[Child Care Blog | Horizon Education Centers ](https://www.horizoneducationcenters.org/blog)

# [Childhood Obesity will Equal Future Problems](https://www.horizoneducationcenters.org/blog/bid/330535/childhood-obesity-will-equal-future-problems)

 Written by [David Smith](https://www.horizoneducationcenters.org/blog/author/david-smith) | Sat, Jan 11, 2014 @ 02:47 PM

American’s love of fast food, sweets, salt-laden prepared foods and super-size servings is exacting a high price on our children. Childhood obesity rates have tripled over the past three decades, according to [Let’s Move](https://letsmove.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/learn-facts/epidemic-childhood-obesity), the federal website associated with First Lady Michelle Obama’s healthy kids’ initiative. Today, one in three U.S. kids is overweight or obese with the risk rising to 40% for children of Hispanic and African American descent. 

**Children Face Adult Health Problems**

As a result, a growing number of children are at serious risk of developing [chronic adult health problems](http://www.letsmove.gov/health-problems-and-childhood-obesity), including heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea. Now a new study adds early puberty to the obesity risk list.

“The girls who are obese are clearly maturing earlier,” Dr. Frank Biro, a pediatrics professor at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center told [NBC News](http://www.nbcnews.com/health/obesity-linked-early-puberty-us-girls-study-finds-8C11514727). “BMI (Body Mass Index) is, we found, the biggest single factor for the onset of puberty.”

**8-Year-olds With Breasts**

Dr. Biro’s team found that breast development began around age 10 for girls with BMIs below 50%. However, as weight increased, the age of puberty onset decreased. For girls with BMIs of 85% to 95%, breast development started as early as age 8, or second to third grade. Early puberty puts an unwelcome psychological burden on young girls that can lead to low self-esteem, depression, body image issues, early sexual activity and inappropriate peer influence.

The average American child is consuming 31% more calories, 14% more sugars and 56% more fats than his parents did when they were children; and today’s kids are getting less exercise. Most children spend nearly eight hours in sedentary activities and many get less than one hour of exercise a day, according to Let’s Move. At [Horizon Daycare Centers](https://www.horizoneducationcenters.org/about-us/) in Lorain County, Ohio, your child’s health and healthy development are our top priority. We serve healthy meals and snacks and build physical exercise into our [childcare programs](https://www.horizoneducationcenters.org/our-programs/) at every level.

[View full post](https://www.horizoneducationcenters.org/blog/bid/330535/childhood-obesity-will-equal-future-problems)

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