Post: Kids Getting More Obesity Surgery
Kids Getting More Obesity Surgery
Need more evidence that obesity is becoming a big problem with kids? According to new research, American teens are having obesity surgery at soaring rates.
The surgery rates for 12-19 year olds tripled between 2000 and 2003, and as many as 1,000 teens may have obesity surgery this year. (Read the full story from the Associated Press here)
Since 1960 the number of kids who are overweight has tripled; childhood obesity is now described as "epidemic" by the medical community. The American Academy of Pediatrics calls the costs associated with childhood obesity "staggering."
Of course, media plays a big part in the obesity problem. There's a direct link between hours of media consumed and calories consumed. A preschooler's risk of obesity jumps 6 percent for every hour of TV watched per day, 31 percent if the TV is in their bedroom.
Helping families think critically about their lifestyle choices is a big part of what we're about -- from helping families limit their media consumption (and develop more active offline lives), to helping them understand the connection between what they see on the screen and what they put in their mouths.
For more on what you can do to fight back against rising obesity rates, check out the latest reasearch, which includes a link to our tip sheet for helping families deconstruct marketing messages.
Also, check out our new guide, Keeping Kids Healthy in a 24/7 Media World, which includes information about promoting strong physical health. It's free to download!