What is Childhood Obesity?

What is Childhood Obesity? The Mayo Clinic states:

Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents. It occurs when a child is well above the normal weight for his or her age and height. Childhood obesity is particularly troubling because the extra pounds often start kids on the path to health problems that were once confined to adults, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

One of the best strategies to combat excess weight in your child is to improve the diet and exercise levels of your entire family. This helps protect the health of your child now and in the future.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has these facts:

Data from NHANES surveys (1976–1980 and 2003–2006) show that the prevalence of obesity has increased: for children aged 2–5 years, prevalence increased from 5.0% to 12.4%; for those aged 6–11 years, prevalence increased from 6.5% to 17.0%; and for those aged 12–19 years, prevalence increased from 5.0% to 17.6%.

Why is Hope for Families, Inc. getting involved in the fight against Childhood Obesity?

Houston children are less likely to be active. Television, video games, less focus on physical education and the breakdown of the family structure are likely contributors to childhood obesity. The Obesity Action Coalition has given these alarming facts:

…for the first time ever, we are seeing children develop Type 2 diabetes at an alarming rate, and only 8 percent of elementary schools and less than 7 percent of middle and high schools have daily physical education requirements in the U.S. “These facts should be eye-opening to any parent concerned with their child’s health and wellbeing.

Is Childhood Obesity real? Yes, but we can no longer ignore this issue. Join Hope for Families, Inc. and become a partner in understanding this epidemic and providing children and their families with the necessary education to combat childhood obesity.

Please donate today by purchasing you tickets to the Hope for Families, Inc.’s Holiday Spectacular Benefit, featuring Glenn Jones, Terisa Griffin and Curits.

References: www.obesityinaction, CDC