Resources for Parents

Childhood obesity is a real problem. And it has hit Hoosiers especially hard. In 2008, Indiana was ranked the 10th most obese state in the nation, with alarming percentages in children’s activity level and weight.

The potential long-term health problems of childhood obesity are serious. If your child is obese, he or she is at a higher risk for several serious health problems, both in the immediate future and later in life. Potential obesity-related illnesses include, but aren’t limited to:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Type 2 diabetes
• Asthma and other respiratory problems
• Liver disease
• Sleep disorders
• Skin Infections
• Early puberty

Obesity threatens your child with more than health problems. It affects them emotionally, too. When kids are overweight, they suffer socially. They don’t participate in as many extra-curricular activities as their healthier peers, and tend to have lower self-esteem — a problem that can last well into adulthood.

How do I know if my child is at risk?
Weight gain in children isn’t a bad thing. To a degree, it’s healthy and normal. But when it surpasses what’s necessary to support their bodies as they grow and develop, it can become a serious health problem. And it’s important to take action sooner rather than later. If you have any concerns or questions, you should speak to a physician.

Aren’t some kids just genetically predisposed to be bigger?
Many people assume that some children are just naturally overweight due to genetics or other congenital causes. This just isn’t true. The great majority of childhood obesity cases are strictly a product of lifestyle and diet issues. In most cases, obesity in kids can be successfully treated with changes in those areas.

How do I motivate my child to make the changes necessary to get healthier?
Getting a child to be active and eat right is easier said than done. But it’s important to remember that children aren’t equipped with the maturity or education to make the necessary changes all by themselves. They need the help of a team. And as a parent, you’re the most important member on that team. They are relying on you to teach them, guide them and give them support as they work toward a healthier, happier way of living.

For further reading on the subject of childhood obesity, visit the following links:

A comprehensive look at childhood obesity. The Mayo Clinic
View site here

Why obesity is a health problem. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
View site here

Childhood obesity. American Obesity Association
View site here