As many of my regular viewers to this web blog know, there are many factors contributing to childhood obesity. I post daily here about it, whether news print articles, opinions, feedback, or just personal opinion.
Recently, I wrote an article for Yahoo! (click here) about childhood obesity. I started searching for sources for this article, and received over 100 responses to the question, “What do you think caused the rise in childhood obesity?” Responses came from professional and Olympic athletes, fitness experts, health experts, nutritionist, and parents.
I was unable to use everyone’s feedback, but thought it would be great to post some of their responses on my blog in a new web series, “What Causes Childhood Obesity.” I hope that you enjoy the opinions here from various individuals. Please remember, my including their posts does not necessarily mean I agree or endorse their opinion, rather, a place to share other people’s thoughts.
I think childhood obesity rates have stabilized in the last few years. We still see it a lot but not at an increasing rate. Fifteen years ago, when I started as a Pediatrician, parents were very resistant to the idea that their child was overweight or becoming overweight. If I even brought up the subject that a child’s weight was increasing, they often didn’t think it was a real problem. With all of the media coverage on childhood obesity, legislation banning sodas from schools, and information given to parents about healthy nutrition and exercise from doctors and schools, some people are getting the message and making the changes needed to help treat and prevent childhood obesity.
Get kids active! With all of the electronic devices: phones, ipads, computers, TV, and video games, kids are spending way too much time being inactive. Limiting the amount of screen time to no more than 2 hours a day is a good goal for everyone.