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, March 22, 2009

U.S. Program Targets Obesity during Pregnancy

Health professionals have long known that children of overweight or obese parents are more likely to be overweight themselves. But they assumed the child became overweight as a result of learned behavior - for example, picking up bad nutritional and exercise habits from mom and dad:
"Now, animal studies suggest the environment the fetus is growing in influences the genes. 'The whole idea is, as that child comes out of the birth canal, you've already imprinted that child's vulnerability to be overweight,' [Dr. Robert] Kushner said."
These findings have compelled Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago to begin a program aimed at helping pregnant mothers maintain healthy weight. The 20 women who participate in the program meet weekly for classes on nutrition, stress, and exercise. Source: ABS-CBN News (Philippines)

Labels: nutrition, pregnancy, parents

Posted By: Aspen Education Group