National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

Nearly 20% of American youth (13.7 million children) between the ages of 2 and 19 are considered
obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As a result, public health officials
have declared childhood obesity a national epidemic.

That’s because overweight children are at a much greater risk for health problems now and in the future
than children who are within a healthy weight range. And pretending the issue doesn’t exist only hurts
children more. In fact, the longer a child remains overweight, the greater their risk for developing
serious long-term health problems, such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Fortunately, childhood obesity can be prevented and reduced through healthy eating and regular
physical activity. Prevention is easier and more effective when parents promote healthy eating and
exercise habits at an early age, and incorporate them into their family’s lifestyle.

Take action: View and download the latest National Health Observance newsletter – PDF