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.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Environment Promotes Obesity Among Kids and Teenagers

American children and teenagers are growing up in an environment that encourages obesity, according to an extensive study at the University of Illinois/Chicago.

Researchers analyzed over 200,000 food advertisements, food choices in middle and high school cafeterias, the numbers of fast food restaurants near where young people congregate, the availability of physical education classes and other factors. They concluded, "The general environment is not conducive to a healthy lifestyle." For example, over 65% of middle schools and 84% of high schools offer sugary soft drinks, and only 20% of 17 and 18-year-old teens took physical education.
"Historically people have thought of obesity in terms of individual willpower, but there is a great abundance of environmental influence that contributes as well," said Dr. Lloyd Johnston. "Communities and schools need to look at what they are doing and try to improve it."
This study appears in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Labels: healthy_living, enviroment, influences

Posted By: Aspen Education Group

Comments:

Jehnavi on 10/12/2010
A couple of pounds of extra fat is not a health risk for most people. But when people remain in the pattern of eating more calories than you burn more fat accumulates in their bodies. Eventually, the body can be reached a point where the amount of fat may have a negative impact on human health. Doctors use the terms overweight or obese to describe when someone is the greatest risk of developing weight-related health problems. http://www.fightobesity.net/obesity-in-teens.html
Colleen on 11/6/2007
I am a teacher, and I totally agree with the school lunch problem. It is so bad I wouldn't touch it no matter how hungry I was. I see students in my class come back with pizza and french fries. Are you kidding me! How are they going to learn for the second half of the day. I started requiring them to have a fruit and a vegetable each time during lunch. It may be over stepping my boundary as a teacher, but their safety and health is a concern of mine. For many students, school lunch might be the only meal they get, why can't we make it a good one. How horrible would it really be to have a sandwich, fruit and chips for a school lunch? Schools should be a healthy place for students to learn and grow.