Childhood Obesity: Research PSA

1. In general the public thinks that childhood obesity is rising at an alarming rate over the pass few decades and doesn’t seem to be improving.

2. The Problem is that people’s busy lives are making it harder to find the time to cook nutritious homemade meals, coupled with lack of physical activity. Adults “bad” behaviors, are being passed down to their children.

3. Future Generations are the most affected by this. How will kids today learn to take care of their bodies, and teach their children the same, if they were never taught themselves?

4. Many children are spending less time exercising and more time watching TV or playing video games. Along with poor nutrition. These are caused by many things ranging from low income to afford fresh fruits and vegetables, to cutting PE programs in schools, to simple laziness

5. Defining obesity in children is when total body weight is more that 32% fat in girls and more that 25% fat in boys. 1 of 3 kids are now considered overweight or obese today. Obesity rates doubled among children and tripled among teens between 1980 and 2000.

6. As a cultural we spend a lot of time eating. Holidays and lunches with friends, almost all social setting are centered around food. Going out to the movies is much easer than going for a bike ride with your family. Heating up a microwave dinner is much easer and faster than preparing one yourself.

7. With looks set aside, there are so many health problems that go along with obesity. Heart disease, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, joint and muscle problems, early puberty, sleep apnea, and even some forms of cancer. Social discrimination is the most immediate consequence for overweight children. Poor self-esteem and depression are associated with obesity often caused by bullying.

8. The Colorado medical Society Connection (CMSC) is working with the Colorado Medical Society (CMS) to build a healthy Colorado. It is a volunteer organization of physicians, medical students and resident physicians and their spouses, that have been active in community service in Colorado.