During the
past 20 years, the number of overweight adults has
risen significantly in the United States. The latest
data from the National Center for Health Statistics
show that 30% of U.S. adults over age 20 are obese.
This is over 60 million people.
Even more tragically, the increase is not limited to
adults. The percentage of young people who are
overweight has more than tripled since 1980. Among
children and teens aged 6–19 years, 16 percent (over
9 million young people) are considered overweight.
Weight is also associated with poor self-esteem.
Excess weight
has serious health consequences. Being overweight or
obese increases the risk of many health conditions,
including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, coronary
heart disease, and stroke.
The good news
is that parents and schools can help students adopt
healthy eating and physical activity behaviors that
are the keys to preventing obesity! The answer does
not lie in fad diets or gimmicks.
Please consult
with your doctor or pediatrician. A number of
websites are listed here so that you will have
information that you can use when you are talking to
your child’s health care provider.
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Links |
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Rate Your Child’s Food and Fitness Habits
A checklist so
you can evaluate your child’s eating and exercise.
National
Institute of Child Health and Development
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/milk/quiz.pdf
Milk Matters for Your Child’s Health
Describes the
importance of milk as a part of a healthy diet.
National
Institute of Child Health and Development
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/milk/MM4childhealth/index.htm
[also in
Spanish]
Healthy Food Choices: 6 to 12 Years
This site
includes information on how to make good food
choices for your child.
American
Medical Association
http://www.medem.com/MedLB/article_detaillb.cfm?article_ID=ZZZNUY2NK9C&sub_cat=110
Kids need to get a jump start on heart healthy
eating
Another
excellent site that provides information on healthy
eating.
American Heart
Association
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3034001
Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Across Your
Lifespan
Tips for
Parents
National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney
Diseases
http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/child.htm
Obesity and Overweight. Frequently Asked Questions
General
information about obesity and overweight for people
of all ages. How are obesity and overweight
determined? What disease conditions are associated
with overweight? What can you do to help maintain a
healthy diet and exercise program?
Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/faq.htm
Healthy Youth: Key Strategies to Prevent Obesity
Presents
several strategies that schools can use to improve
child nutrition and health.
Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/keystrategies/index.htm
School Meals
Information on
the National School Lunch Program and other topics
US Department
of Agriculture
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/
