According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16 percent of children (over 9 million) 6-19 years old are overweight or obese -- a number that has tripled since 1980. In addition to the 16 percent of children and teens ages 6 to 19 who were overweight in 1999-2002, another 15 percent were considered at risk of becoming overweight. ("Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity Among Children and Adolescents: United States, 1999-2002"; Oct. 6, 2004)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over the past three decades the childhood obesity rate has more than doubled for preschool children aged 2-5 years and adolescents aged 12-19 years, and it has more than tripled for children aged 6-11 years. ("Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity Among Children and Adolescents: United States, 1999-2002"; Oct. 6, 2004)
Overweight adolescents have a 70 percent chance of becoming overweight or obese adults. This increases to 80 percent if one or more parent is overweight or obese. (United States Department of Health and Human Services)
Those numbers are staggering but in a way not really surprising. Look at all the fast food joints, junk-food, soda pop, etc that is stocked in super markets, gas stations, etc. Even schools provide access to junk, at least the ones in this area do. Back to the fast food for a minute, and actually it’s not just fast food chains it’s restaurants too, have you seen the size of their meals? They provide enough food in one serving for two people!
So what do all these statistics have to do with our children? Well it’s up to us to teach them good eating habits and exercise. The old saying children learn what they live is so true. It’s not a bad thing that we have to be role models for our children in all areas including healthy eating and exercising. It just might force us to get healthy as well! Make this a family affair. Take walks together, ride bikes, etc. At the grocery store let the kids help you pick out fruits and veggies! And you can get more ideas and information by picking up your copy of Mom’s Talk eBooks Guide to Raising Healthy and Fit Kids.
