By Derek J. Brown, MD,
Pediatrician, Newman Pediatrics
Special to The Gazette
In a culture of decreased exercise and increased junk food consumption, American children are facing an epidemic of obese and overweight concerns resulting in serious health issues.
The statistics are alarming. According to the National Survey data: Twenty percent of children aged 8 to 16 years are having two or less gym classes per week. Twenty-five percent of children watch four or more hours of television per day. Childhood obesity rates have more than tripled since 1980. Thirty percent of children are at or above obesity status in 30 U.S. states.
According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: In 2008, Kansas was ranked 22nd in the nation with 31 percent of 10 to 17 year old children identified as overweight and obese. Blacks have a 51 percent higher prevalence of obesity compared with whites. Hispanics have a 21 percent higher obesity prevalence compared with whites.
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