Childhood Obesity Causes

There are many factors that contribute to causing child and adolescent obesity - some are modifiable and others are not.

Modifiable causes include:
Physical Activity - Lack of regular exercise.
Sedentary behavior - High frequency of television viewing, computer usage, and similar behavior that takes up time that can be used for physical activity.
Socioeconomic Status - Low family incomes and non-working parents.
Eating Habits - Over-consumption of high-calorie foods. Some eating patterns that have been associated with this behavior are eating when not hungry, eating while watching TV or doing homework.
Environment - Some factors are over-exposure to advertising of foods that promote high-calorie foods and lack of recreational facilities.

Non-changeable causes include:
Genetics - Greater risk of obesity has been found in children of obese and overweight parents.