The United States is facing a major crisis of epidemic proportion in relation with childhood obesity. There has been some very disturbing statistical data published about childhood obesity in recent years documenting the childhood obesity phenomenon which is poised to have a tremendous affect on future healthcare systems and support services. But data alone is not the only telltale sign of the advancing problem. There is also a highly visible aspect which is additional proof that the problem is a legitimate one. However, childhood obesity is a potentially rectifiable and preventable issue, and has been a focus of the medical community for a few years running. The problem is one of varying reasons starting with the fact that obese or potentially obese children eat too much fast-food, they do not get enough exercise, children are over exposed to marketing of unhealthy foods, and parents are contributing by not doing enough to stop this phenomenon.
The problem had become so important it was strongly addressed in these statements by former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher: [Childhood] obesity is one of the greatest threats to child and adult health that we are facing today. Not only are children who are overweight and obese more likely to be overweight and obese adults, with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, but children who are overweight and obese are also at increased risks for depression, diabetes, and hypertension in [childhood]. Childhood obesity is a very serious problem in our society and has been a major public health concern over the last decade. In the New Orleans area the problem is just as serious and some efforts are being taken to address the issue.
How did we get to the point where childhood obesity has become such a widespread major crisis issue, which will have severe health consequences for children as young adults while producing an ongoing devastating impact on healthcare related industries in the near and distant future? There were sources which go as far as to suggest parents could be guilty of child abuse for contributing to their child‘s/children’s obesity. That is an issue that only the courts could decide. But the question remained, whether parents were doing enough to derail childhood obesity as it is defined? Parents are at the frontlines of the childhood obesity issue and should be more proactive, if not vigilant in getting this problem under control to stop or at least slow down their children from becoming obese.
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