Childhood Obesity in Numbers: Slowly Turning the Tide
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Health Tip of the Week In the ongoing battle against childhood obesity, it looks like things may be in a turnaround. In a new study following 9,000 adolescents published in the journal Pediatrics, researchers found that between 2001 and 2009, the participants increased their physical activity, ate more vegetables and fewer sweets, and spent less time watching TV. While the average body mass index (BMI) percentile increased from 2001 to 2006, there was no significant increase from 2006 to 2010, which could be an indication that the obesity trend is stabilizing.
Being overweight carries a host of health problems, including higher risks for diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. There are many ways you can help your child live a healthy lifestyle and avoid childhood obesity. Here are some guidelines:
Contributed by: Patrick S. Pasquariello, MD
Categories: Weekly Health Tips, Obesity
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