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Fighting Obesity In Children

Fighting Obesity in Children

Children are facing a health crisis: According to several studies (fall of 2001), many children currently face a serious health crisis in that they are overweight, malnourished and inactive. One study, published in the Dec. 12, 2001, issue of the Journal of American Medical Association, calls obesity in children an "epidemic." According to the study: the number of overweight black or Hispanic children more than doubled in 12 years; the number of overweight white children also climbed 50 percent; by 1998, nearly 22 percent of black children ages 4 to 12 were overweight, along with 22 percent of Hispanic children and 12 percent of white children; the problem was most prevalent among "minorities and southerners."
Amount of television watching tied to likeliness of being overweight: In June, 2002, a study published in Pediatrics said that preschoolers who watch a lot of television -- particularly children who have a television in their room -- are more likely to become overweight.
There are serious ramifications for children who are not eating properly, exercising enough, or getting enough fruits and vegetables in their diet. Some of the health issues thought to be consequences of excess body weight are: type 2 diabetes, heart disease, digestive problems, various cancers, and psychological effects such as poor self-esteem or depression.
Several national strategies are cited by the Surgeon General as important ways to fight the trend toward obesity (this list is quoted directly from a Dec. 13, 2001, press release from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services):

Ensure daily, quality physical education for all school grades. Currently, only one state in the country -- Illinois -- requires physical education for grades K-12, while only about one in four teenagers nationwide take part in some form of physical education.

Ensure that more food options that are low in fat and calories, as well as fruits, vegetables, whole...