Childhood obesity is the top health concern for kids in 2008, according to the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health. Childhood obesity outranked both smoking and drug abuse to claim the top spot. Approximately 35 percent of adults surveyed indicated childhood obesity as their top overall health concern for children. In 2007, childhood obesity ranked third.
However, many parents do not accurately perceive weight problems in their children, according to a recent study by the American College of Gastroenterology. The study gathered information from 46 parents of children ages 5-9 with a body mass index (BMI) in the 70th percentile or higher. The children were measured for height and weight during a regular pediatric visit and then parents were mailed a series of questionnaires. Parents were asked to answer questions about their perception of their child's current weight as well as whether they thought their child might be at risk for obesity in adulthood.
Although all of the children involved in the study had high BMIs, less than 13 percent of the parents surveyed perceived their children to be overweight, and less than one in three parents thought their children had above-average or very high risk for adult obesity.
Parents who may be questioning whether their child is overweight have access to a variety of online resources, including BMI calculators and a wealth of helpful articles. Weight loss camps, or "fat camps," can be immensely beneficial in teaching young people healthy habits and nutritional information. In addition, it is recommended that parents seek the professional opinion of a physician when considering weight loss measures for children.
Labels: health, parents, denial
Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments
