Final answer:
Childhood obesity, defined by having excess body fat negatively affecting health, is a serious public health concern. It can lead to conditions like type 2 diabetes and is diagnosed using BMI. It is crucial to promote physical activity and healthy eating to reduce obesity risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Obesity in childhood is a condition where excess body fat negatively impacts a child's health or well-being. It is recognized as a significant public health concern due to its increasing prevalence and numerous adverse health effects, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Body Mass Index (BMI) is commonly used to diagnose obesity in children because it is a less direct but practical method to estimate body fat.
Being overweight in middle childhood can dramatically increase the risk of various health issues later in life, including heart attacks. Overweight children have a body weight at least 20 percent higher than what is considered healthy for their height. This trend reinforces the importance of encouraging physical activity and healthy eating as fundamental parts of a child's education to combat obesity.
Moreover, obesity and its complications, like type 2 diabetes, are closely linked due to changes in metabolism and the body's response to insulin. However, when considering causes of death, accidents tend to be the leading cause in middle childhood rather than diseases, even though obesity is a leading health risk.