Childhood Obesity

Obesity in children is of epidemic proportions. In just two decades, the prevalence of overweight more than doubled for U.S. children ages 6 to 11, going from 7% in 1980 to 18.8% in 2004. In total, about 25 million U.S. children and adolescents are overweight or nearly overweight. Obese children now have diseases like type 2 diabetes that used to only occur in adults. And overweight kids tend to become overweight adults, continuing to put them at greater risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke.

There are many causes of obesity. While there's no doubt genetics plays a role, genes alone can't account for the huge increase in rates over the past few decades. The main culprits are the same as those for adult obesity: eating too much and moving around too little. Healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and physical activity, can lower the risk of becoming overweight and developing related diseases.

Check out some of these resources to help you prevent childhood obesity in your family.

Resources

• Action for Healthy Kids: Game On! The Ultimate Wellness Challenge
• Early Childhood Resource Kit
• Child Care Champions Workbook - COPAN
  • Introduction
  • Chapter 1
  • Chapter 2
  • Chapter 3
  • Chapter 4
  • Chapter 5
  • Chapter 6
  • Appendices and References
• Childhood Obesity: Harnessing the Power of Public and Private Partnerships
• Childhood Obesity: How do the health behaviors of Colorado parents affect their children?
• Childhood Obesity: Make weight loss a family affair 
• Childhood Obesity in Colorado: A Growing Problem
• Children's Exposure to Food Advertising on Television: A Side-by-Side comparison of Results from Recent Studies by the Federal Trade Commission and the Kaiser Family Foundation 
• Family Matters Newsletter - January 2008
• Family Matters Newsletter - February 2008
• Family Matters Newsletter - March 2008
• Kids Who Have Daily P.E. and Engage in Regular Physical Activity Less Likely to be Overweight Adults, Study Finds
• Outcome Expectation Surveys for Children
• Parents are the Power!: Toolkit for Creating Change
• Parents: Tips for dealing with picky eaters
• Randomized Trial Shows Restricting Kids' Video Time Reduces Obesity
• Researchers Address Childhood Obesity Through Community-Based Programs
• Sample Menu  

Websites

• Action for Healthy Kids
• Alliance for a Healthier Generation
• American Academy of Pediatrics
• Denver Parks and Recreation
• Childhood Obesity - Kaiser Permanente Resources for Families
• Kaiser Permanente and Discovery Health Team Up to Fight Childhood Obesity Epidemic
• Mayo Clinic
• NAASO, The Obesity Society
• Obesity Online Library
• USDA - Food and Nutrition
• We Can! Ways to Enhance Children's Activity and Nutrition
• WIC