Letter to the Editor - September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

Letter to the Editor

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

Ford-Iroquois counties, IL -   According to the Centers for Disease Control, 12.5 million US children are obese.  Childhood obesity is a major public health concern in the US and around the world.  That is why September has been designated as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.

The worldwide incidence of obesity in all age groups is increasing.  A new term, “globesity” is now being used to reflect the escalation of global obesity and overweight.  Since 1998, the World Health Organization has classed obesity as a growing epidemic. 

What is the solution?  There is no single or simple solution.  However, just raising awareness of the situation is a start.  If you are a parent, think about this in relationship to your own childhood.

What did you do after school or on weekends when you were a child?  You probably walked home from school.  After a quick snack, you probably went outside and played with your friends until it was time to come in for dinner.  On the weekends, you may have participated in outdoor activities for most of the day.  Back then, how many of your friends were overweight or obese?  Now, think about what your child does after school and on weekends.  Do they ride the bus home and then head for the kitchen where they load up on chips and soft drinks and then head straight to their bedrooms to sit in front of a computer or talk on their cell phone for hours?  Does the family work together in the kitchen to prepare a meal that they sit down together to enjoy or do you bring home carry out and each person just grabs their share and heads for the couch or their bedroom?   Now, think about how many children you know who are overweight or obese.   

Habits like those mentioned above are what lead to overweight and obese individuals.  For the first time ever, the number of overweight individuals around the world rivals the number of underweight.  In the United States, obesity is the most common chronic disease, affecting more than 1 in 4 of all Americans, including children.

As Public Health Administrator for this jurisdiction, I am obligated to address health concerns affecting our local communities.  We work hard at the health department to provide our clients with information about good nutrition and the need for physical activity in their lives but we need everyone working together to address this epidemic.   Why not sit down with your family today and make a commitment to work together to be more nutritionally and physically fit?  Start out by committing to prepare and eat a healthy dinner together at least four times per week.  Make a plan for the family to participate in two 30 minute activities together each week such as walking, biking, swimming, etc.  Once you see what a difference these small changes make in your lives, I am confident you will work to incorporating these habits into your daily living.

Working towards your good health,

Doug Corbett, MPH

Public Health Administrator