From Your Health Journal…..”A very interesting article from WEAR-TV, an ABC local affiliate about childhood obesity. Reports have come in from many credible organizations like the American Heart Association, which stated 25 million American youth are overweight or obese – and the CDC which has stated obesity has doubled for children ages 5-11, and nearly tripled for teens ages 12-18. Heart disease is still the number one killer in our country, and illnesses related to it are also on the rise, such as type 2 diabetes – affecting children as well. There are many contributing causes to this epidemic such as homework loads, extra-curricular activities, sedentary lifestyle, and poor diet – but one thing that has been a major influence in the rise of obesity among children is the popularity of technology. Children keep busy on their Ipads, video games, hand held devices, computers, cell phones, and countless other machines that entertain, but cause children to be sedentary. Throw on top of this all the TV times, and we have ‘couch potato’ generation, who many experts feel could have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. We need to get kids off the couch, out to play, have healthier diets, less technology, and proper education on healthy lifestyle. Please visit the WEAR-TV (ABC-TV) web site (link provided below) to read the complete article. It was very informative, and shared great material at the local level.”

From the article…..

It’s a growing problem across the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Childhood Obesity has more than doubled in the past 30-years.

What is being done to battle the growing disease. “Childhood obesity is a growing problem in the United States here in Escambia County one of the ways they are trying to battle that problem is starting here in the schools by changing the lunches.”

Pediatrician Doctor Michelle Grier-Hall says obesity at a young age raises many health concerns not only physical but mental.

Dr. Michelle Grier-Hall “Heart disease and diabetes which we are seeing diabetes in our children not just in adults but we’re seeing diabetes in children who have obesity, so you have high blood pressure, cholesterol problems and this is not good of course the joint problems, back pains and other things you can see with obesity.”

The Escambia County Health Department says there is no increase in the total percentage of students who are obese or overweight this year.

Data shows 63 % of the children measured are in the normal range for body mass index. But CDC numbers nation wide show children ages 6 to 11 years who are obese increased from 7 % in 1980 to 18 % in 2010.

Adolescents ages 12 to 19 increased from 5 % to 18 %. Recently, schools have stepped in changing their lunch menus to healthier alternatives.

And removing friers from the cafeteria. Jaleena Davis “There are five components in our meal whole grain bread, milk, fruit, vegetable, meat or meat alternate.”

To read the complete article…..Click here