The Business Case for Protecting and Promoting Child and Adolescent HealthObesity and Physical Activity
Obesity is an epidemic in the United States: in the past
20 years, the proportion of children classified as obese
more than doubled, from 6.9% in 1980 to 17% in 2006.
The rate among adolescents aged 12 to 19 more than
tripled, increasing from 5% to 17.6% in that time.^83
Adolescents are considered overweight when their BMI
is at or above the 95th percentile of a sex-specific age/
growth chart.
Health Impact
Poor eating habits during the teen years may lead to both short- and long-term health consequences
including obesity, osteoporosis, and sexual maturation delays.^84 Sustained obesity puts adolescents
and young adults at high risk for several chronic diseases including hypertension, type II diabetes,
and cardiovascular disease.
Economic Burden
The economic burden of obesity in the United States is substantial. In 2006, the average health care
expenditure for the obese population was $5,148, compared to $3,636 for the overweight population
and $3,315 for the normal weight population. The annual cost of obesity was over $300 billion in
that year.^85
Prevention Opportunities
Employers have many opportunities to help their employees raise healthy-weight children. Some
ways your company can address child and adolescent obesity are listed below.
Education and Health Promotion^86
• The most important overweight prevention for babies and toddlers is breastfeeding.^87 Include
the benefits of breastfeeding in prenatal programs and support new mothers breastfeeding
when they return to work.
• Encourage employees to engage in healthier eating habits and more active lifestyles. When
parents set good examples, it will be easier for children to reach their health goals.
• Increase awareness of unhealthy behaviors and environmental factors that can stimulate
overeating. Provide information on healthy eating habits that can help parents monitor and
control the type and amount of food children are eating.
• Distribute nutrition and physical activity
educational materials during open enrollment.
• Reimburse employees for gym memberships or
facilitate participation in on-site programs
• Offer family-centered weight loss and
maintenance classes.
• Fund or provide subsidies through health
reimbursement accounts (HRAs) for employees
who achieve weight goals.
For more information on
tailoring health promotion
and disease management
programs to meet the needs
of children and adolescents,
please refer to Fact Sheet
#2 in Part 5.Poor eating habits during the
teen years may lead to both
short- and long-term health
consequences including
obesity, osteoporosis, and
sexual maturation delays.