Waistlines of children are growing, as childhood obesity continues to plague our kids. Retail profits are growing with them as they bank on plus sized lines for young children, tweens & teens.
JC Penney was one of the first to offer larger sizes on the rack, even claiming that the childrens plus sized line is where they have seen the most sales growth. Lands End & Sears have also launched a line of larger youth sizes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. For example, for kids ages six to 11, obesity increased from 6.5 percent to 19.6 percent between 1980 and 2008, adolescents aged 12 to 19 years increased from 5.0 percent to 18.1 percent.
According to Forbes and MarketResearch.com, sales of womens' and girl's plus size apparel has become a $47 billion industry, banking on the fact that the industry will not slow down any time soon.
Many pose the question as to whether or not this encourages the epidemic. Although most companies argue the clothing line is meant to support the children not harm them, keep in mind the risks childhood obesity presents:
According to the CDC:
*Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. In a population-based sample of 5- to 17-year-olds, 70% of obese youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
*Children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem.3,6
*Obese youth are more likely than youth of normal weight to become overweight or obese adults, and therefore more at risk for associated adult health problems, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.
