Childhood Obesity and Overweight Children

"Americans will be more likely to change their behavior if they have a meaningful reward--something more than just reaching a certain weight or dress size. The real reward is invigorating, energizing, joyous health. It is a level of health that allows people to embrace each day and live their lives to the fullest without disease or disability."

- VADM Regina M. Benjamin, M.D., M.B.A., Surgeon General

In today's society, many people are suffering from the obesity epidemic. This is no doubt, a crisis that needs attention, immediately! Obesity threatens the progress that we have made, in increasing American's quality and years of health life, as a society.
Studies show that Americans are more likely to commit to change, if there is something in it for them. So to stop this epidemic in our country, we must offer a reward. This reward must be something more than just reaching a certain weight or dress size. The reward must be something that people can feel and enjoy and celebrate. This reward is health. It is a level of health that allows people to embrace each day and live their lives to the fullest; without the dangers of disease, disability, or lost productivity. We need to be a healthy and fit nation to continue the progress that our society has worked so hard to accomplish thus far.

The hard facts about Childhood Obesity:

- Two-thirds of adults and nearly one in three children are overweight or obese.
- 70% of American Indian/Alaskan Native adults are overweight or obese.
- The prevalence of obesity in the U.S. more than doubled (from 15% to 34%) among adults and more than tripled (from 5% to 17%) among children and adolescents from 1980 to 2008.
- An obese teenager has over a 70% greater risk of becoming an obese adult.
- Obesity is more common among non-Hispanic black teenagers (29%) than Hispanic teenagers (17.5%) or non-Hispanic white teenagers (14.5%).

Each school day provides multiple opportunities for students to learn about health and practice healthy behaviors such as regular physical activity and good nutrition. To help students develop life-long healthy habits, schools should provide appealing healthy food options including fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, water and low-fat or non-fat beverages. School systems should also require daily physical education for students allowing 150 minutes per week for elementary schools and 225 minutes per week for secondary schools.

As caregivers, mentors, parents, public health leaders, and other concerned citizens, it is our responsibility to act like adults and take action to draw attention to this public health epidemic! We can and must work together, using the resources that are available including science and evidence of effective programs to make sure that our children receive the encouragement and guidance that the need to engage in more physical activity and make the healthy decisions when it comes to food!

We are role models for the younger generations, with our own behaviors regarding heath. If we promote healthy lifestyles, the younger generations will catch on and want to be a part of this. This will result in a public health movement that will not only help reduce the burden of childhood obesity, but lessen the risk of other chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.