Childhood Obesity - Do you have an overweight child? We offer tips to help your child lose weight and get fit!

The My Overweight Child blog will help you keep informed about the latest research, findings, and resources available to parents of overweight or obese kids. There are many knowledgeable people working on the increasingly dire problem of childhood obesity - and we want to give parents a place where they can check in regularly to see the latest studies and tips available to help you help your child lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

We invite you to add your comments - if you have feedback for the blog, would like some specific topics covered, or you just want to share your experience as a parent dealing with childhood obesity.

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

No Fast Food Zone

Researchers studying the proximity of fast food restaurants in the Chicago area found that almost 80% of schools were within a half mile of at least one fast food restaurant. Is this by accident? Not according to the study, which was reported in a recent issue of the American Journal of Public Health. Statistically significant clusters of these junk food havens were found within a short walking distance from school, where teens can easily walk to lunch.

If you can't change where your child attends school, work with school officials to prohibit students from bringing fast food to be eaten at school or making these restaurants off limits. The study authors also suggest community zoning requirements limit how close fast food restaurants can be to schools.

Posted By: Lori S