Santa Barbara County health experts discuss childhood obesity rates

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Obesity in the United States is rising, and doctors at Cottage Health are seeing younger patients struggling with obesity in Santa Barbara.

"Obesity in children is a very serious problem … around the world in the US and in our community.  In 2018 one in five children suffered from obesity and the numbers are going up," said Dr. Alexandra Eidelwein, pediatric gastroenterologist for Cottage Hospital.

The CDC indicates the obesity rate in the U.S. continued to climb during the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing by 3% between 2020 and 2021. 

Worldwide, more than 1 billion people currently have obesity, according to the World Health Organization.

As rates continue to climb, Eidelwien explained some of the factors that influence obesity. 

"Well, there’s many factors that are genetic factors associated with diet and physical activity," said Eidelwien. "As we all know our country has a great ingestion of processed foods that have high fructose sugars oils and artificial flavors … our kids are receiving that diet."

"Juice … sodas … pushed everywhere in the stores … access to too much food," said Meg Beard, a registered dietician for Santa Barbara County Public Health.  

Health experts across Santa Barbara County are encouraging families with kids to pursue healthy eating habits as a group.

"Try to get to them early … having the whole family change not just the toddler … If the parents won’t eat them then the child won’t eat them," said Beard.

“As a family … try to avoid sofas, try to play outside, go for walks, try to spend less time in from of the TV and on their phones," said Eidelwien.