Although most parents undoubtedly realize that childhood obesity is a problem and a serious medical condition that afflicts an ever growing number of children in the United States, many fail to recognize the problem when it shows up in their own household. In fact, 2600 American adults recently took part in a study that revealed to researchers that there is a “stark mismatch” between a child’s weight problem and a parent’s ability to recognize it as such.
As a part of that study, respondents were asked about the height and weight of their oldest child. Scientists were then able to crunch these numbers and come up with a number indicating the child’s body mass index (BMI). The researchers then compared these numbers with their own data in order to classify the child as obese. Children with a BMI that fell into the 95 to 100 percentile range for their age and gender were classified as obese, while children with a BMI in the 85 to 94 percentile range were classified as overweight. A full quarter of the participants’ children met one of these two thresholds.
However, when parents were asked about their own child’s weight, many parents did not recognize their own child’s weight problem, although parents of teens were more likely than parents of other age groups to do so. Nonetheless, an overwhelming majority of parents (84%) said that they would like for their child’s physician to talk to them about childhood obesity during their child’s regular office visits. Fortunately for the children, that number indicates that many parents are receptive to advice on helping their child maintain a healthy weight.
Of course, the first step to correcting a problem is recognizing and admitting that there is a problem. Educational organizations are doing a good job of changing minds about allowing junk food and sugary sodas into our public school systems, but it is also important for individual parents to realize that the school cannot be responsible for what goes into their child’s body when away from the school grounds, which ties in with the next step.
In order to correct the problem, it is important for parents to educate themselves on how to provide proper nutrition to their child’s growing body. And, as the study has shown, it is also important for parents to familiarize themselves with the healthy weight ranges for their child’s age and gender group. The CDC and USDA can be very helpful when seeking more facts on childhood obesity, as can your child’s physician. No matter who you turn to for information, they are sure to say that one of the key factors to improving your child’s health is providing healthier snack options. Choose healthy alternatives for your child by opting for snacks from YoNaturals health food vending machines, and take your stand against childhood obesity.
Author: Laura Rayburn
