|
Childhood Obesity More Than Doubled in Last 30 Years
|
|
|
The U.S. Institute of Medicine issued recommendations to stem the tide of childhood obesity which more than doubled over the past 30 years, calls on parents, schools, communities and government to work together to stem this insidious problem.
|
|
Washington, DC -- In September, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) an arm of the National Academy of Sciences, issued a call to action upon the growing childhood obesity problem in the U.S. However, they are prescribing a multilateral approach by parents, schools, communities and government to stem this insidious problem.
The country has drifted into a situation where the number of obese youths has more than doubled over the last 30 years, but we're not going to drift out of it."
According to the report, over the last 30 years the rate of childhood obesity has tripled among youngsters aged 6 to 11 and has doubled for those aged 2 to 5 and 12 to 19, the institute reported. "No single factor or sector of society bears all of the blame for the problem, and no sector alone can correct it," Dr. Jeffrey Koplan of Emory University in Atlanta, chairman of the committee that prepared the recommendations, said at a briefing. The country has drifted into a situation where the number of obese youths has more than doubled over the last 30 years", Koplan said, "but we're not going to drift out of it." Today, some 9 million children older than 6 are obese, the report said.
Less Time In Front Of Television And Computer Screens
|
 | Recommendations are that parents limit kids' TV hours, that schools provide healthier food, that restaurants offer nutrition information and that communities provide more recreation opportunities.
Related Stories:
'Globesity' -- The Stealth Killer
| |
|
The report called for a wide-ranging effort that includes less time in front of television and computer screens, changes in food labeling and advertising, more school and community physical education programs, and education to help children make better choices. "It is now critical to alter social norms and attitudes" so that healthy eating and physical activity become routine, said Koplan. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy G. Thompson noted that the Food and Drug Administration is examining how to revise food labels to ensure that parents understand how many calories they and their children are consuming. "Accurate, helpful information will allow them to make wise food choices at home, at supermarkets and in restaurants," Thompson said.
All Illness are Exacerbated by Being Overweight
Dr. Thomas N. Robinson of Stanford University, a member of the committee that prepared the report, said that many health care providers are worried about the future as obese children age and adult chronic diseases are beginning in the teen years and younger. "Everything is affected by overweight," he said. Obesity can lead to increased likelihood of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep problems, high cholesterol, gallstones and other problems. Specifically, the panel suggested that parents limit kids' TV hours, that schools provide healthier food, that restaurants offer nutrition information and that communities provide more recreation opportunities. The IOM report calls for increased federal involvement, including creation of an interdepartmental task force to coordinate activities, developing nutrition standards for school food, setting guidelines for advertising and marketing to children and increases in research funding.
Posted: 10/12/2004
Source: Randolph E. Schmid of the Associated Press
|
|
|