Obesity - a 21st Century Epidemic
September 2010 is the first National Obesity Awareness Month.
"Obesity is such that this generation of children could be the first basically in the history of the United States to live less healthful and shorter lives than their parents," said Dr. David S. Ludwig, director of the obesity program at Children's Hospital Boston. Read more.
Obesity means having too much body fat. It is different from being overweight, which means weighing too much. The weight may come from muscle, bone, fat and/or body water. Both terms mean that a person's weight is greater than what's considered healthy for his or her height.
Obesity occurs over time when you eat more calories than you use. The balance between calories-in and calories-out differs for each person. Factors that might tip the balance include your genetic makeup, overeating, eating high-fat foods and not being physically active.
Being obese increases your risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis and some cancers. If you are obese, losing even 5 to 10 percent of your weight can delay or prevent some of these diseases.
NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Scroll down this page to see a visual introduction to obesity - What are the causes and the effects? What are the solutions? And see our list of the top people and programs providing inspiration and answers! Take action!
"Obesity is such that this generation of children could be the first basically in the history of the United States to live less healthful and shorter lives than their parents," said Dr. David S. Ludwig, director of the obesity program at Children's Hospital Boston. Read more.
Obesity means having too much body fat. It is different from being overweight, which means weighing too much. The weight may come from muscle, bone, fat and/or body water. Both terms mean that a person's weight is greater than what's considered healthy for his or her height.
Obesity occurs over time when you eat more calories than you use. The balance between calories-in and calories-out differs for each person. Factors that might tip the balance include your genetic makeup, overeating, eating high-fat foods and not being physically active.
Being obese increases your risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis and some cancers. If you are obese, losing even 5 to 10 percent of your weight can delay or prevent some of these diseases.
NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Scroll down this page to see a visual introduction to obesity - What are the causes and the effects? What are the solutions? And see our list of the top people and programs providing inspiration and answers! Take action!
What are the causes and the effects?
Teaching children about healthy habits for eating and fitness are critical. Providing healthy meals and opportunities for fitness are critical. Teaching children to be media literate is equally critical. A typical box of sugary cereal contains the equivalent of 37 tablespoons of sugar!
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What are the solutions?
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Inspiration and Examples . . Resources
Click pictures to go to their web sites.
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Resources for Educators, Parents and Community
Presidential Proclamation - National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, September 1, 2010
Let's Move Campaign - "The Let’s Move! campaign, started by First Lady Michelle Obama, has an ambitious national goal of solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation so that children born today will reach adulthood at a healthy weight."
Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution - also watch all six episodes of the show, Food Revolution, which aired on the ABC network in the spring.
Healthy Habits - Student Guide to Nutrition and Fitness Resources - excellent resource, just updated 2015.
USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) - Obesity Page. The USDA is one of the best web sites for resources related to Obesity and other food related topics. This page has a wealth of resources!
CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Obesity Page
US Dept. of Health and Human Services - Childhood Obesity
American Heart Association - Overweight in Children
KidsData.org - database for data on children's health and well-being for kids in California.
America Scores - fighting childhood obesity through soccer.
Nourish Interactive - this web site has many resources and tools for parents, schools and communities.
Healthier Kids, Brighter Futures
Childhood Obesity Statistics - Childhood and teenage obesity has increased by four times over the past 40 years. Statistics on childhood obesity also indicate that over 70 percent of overweight adolescents will be overweight or obese as adults.
The Obesity Society
The Mayo Clinic
News Reports and Articles
Leading Civil Rights Organizations Unite to Fight Childhood Obesity, Sep. 7, 2010
Lack of Sleep in Babies a Cause of Childhood Obesity, Sep. 7, 2010
How to Decrease Childhood Obesity Statistics, March 15, 2010
More to come!
