According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, childhood obesity rates increased from 2000 to 2010, reaching its highest rate at 15.9 percent in 2010. While overall prevalance decreased to 14.5 between 2010 and 2014, there is still significant work that must be done to combat the childhood obesity epidemic in the United States. Dr. Gopal K. Singh, Ph.D., and his colleagues at the Health Resources and Services Administration analyzed results of National Survey of Children's Health Data conducted in 2003 and 2007. They reported that almost 50 percent of all children nationwide are now classified as overweight (31.6 percent) or obese (16.4 percent) with the largest percentage coming from southern states, such as Mississippi, Louisiana and Georgia. In a May 3rd report published in the online version of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, the south continues to lead the pack when it comes to childhood obesity, with Mississippi ranking number one with almost 22 percent of the children classified as obese and 44.5 percent classified as overweight. The lowest rate of obesity in children is in Oregon where only 9.6 percent of the population is considered obese, whereas in Utah the number of children classified as overweight is only 23.1 percent. It shouldn’t be too surprising that these results parallel the state obesity rates for adults. Last week I wrote a blog regarding Santa Clara county officials banning toys in kid’s meals until restaurants start offering healthier options. While taking away a toy may not be the answer to this health crisis, something has to be done to reverse the trend so that we can avert a nationwide health catastrophe. Parents are the biggest role model for their children but unfortunately we are coming up short in the healthy lifestyle department. We know that changing behaviors is a big step in moving these kids away from a sedentary lifestyle to one of healthier living. This includes eating more meals at home, pulling kids away from the T.V. and computer, and making exercise fun. I’m beginning to wonder if we, as parents, have become apathetic to studies like these or if there is just a lack of education on our part when it comes to changing directions. Whatever the case may be, if we don’t change directions, we are certainly going to lose a generation well before their time. When you read studies such as the one listed above, do you think they help change the direction our kids are heading in? What are some actions you, as a parent, are taking to help your kids embrace positive healthy lifestyles? Do you think the trend of obesity will be reversed? |
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