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

Overweight teenagers have overweight friends and parents, who in turn may influence them to remain heavy, according to a new study from RTI International.

Teens and their friends were likely to be close to the same weights, regardless of their socio-economic status, smoking status, and household characteristics. Overweight girls, in particular, were more likely to have overweight friends. The researchers used data on children in the seventh to 12th grades that had been collected during the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health.

Dr. Justin Trogdon, the author of the study, said the results help to explain why so many more teenagers remain overweight.

This study appears in the Journal of Health Economics.

Labels: families, influences, peers

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Parents of overweight children worry more about their children being bullied than they do about their children being overweight, according to a new study from the University of Michigan.

The National Poll on Children's Health surveyed parents of children ages six to 13. Among all parents in the survey, childhood obesity ranked as the number one health concern. Among parents of overweight children, however, bullying ranked first. Parents of overweight children were twice as likely to be overweight themselves.

"In many families, obesity is a two-generation phenomenon," said Dr. Matthew M. Davis, director of the poll. "Since bullying is known to be a problem for children with increased weight, bullying prevention programs will need to be mindful of obesity."

About 66 percent of parents said they limit the amount of junk food and the time their children spend in front of computer and television screens.

Labels: peers, bullying, bullies

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments