Twelve year-old Kayla is being teased in school because she is overweight, and it's affecting her performance as a student. 15-year old Sam is arguing with her mother, because she wants her to lose weight, and exercise more, but Sam doesn't want weight to be the focus of her life. These are not unusual stories.
Millions of children in America are struggling with weight issues. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 more than doubled in the past 20 years, going from 6.5% in 1980 to 17.0% in 2006. The rate among adolescents aged 12 to 19 more than tripled. The rates for overweight children also tripled among preschoolers and adolescents in the last thirty years, and quadrupled among children aged 6-11. What are the factors that have contributed to the dramatic rise in childhood obesity, and what can be done to reverse this trend? On Monday September 29th at 12pmGrowing Up Big explores the medical and psychological effects of childhood obesity. We find out how our eating habits have changed, how advertising is affecting kids and what is the outcome of sedentary lifestyles. We also discuss discuss what kids, parents, communities, schools and researchers are doing to move the needle back on the scales.
Teens holding vegetables grown in the Urban Nutrition Initiative garden.
Growing Up Big is a production by WHYY in Philadelphia. Elisabeth Perez-Luna is the executive producer, Maiken Scott is the producer and host, and Geeta Simons is the associate producer. The program is part of the "Little Bites, Big Steps" outreach programming created by WHYY's Children's Service. For more information on related programs, please visit Little Bites, Big Steps.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends less than two hours of screen time a day for kids - that means watching TV, time spent on the computer, or playing video games. Dr. Amy Jordan co-author of Children, Adolescents and the Media discusses the impact of sedentary behaviors on children's weight.
Childhood obesity is an increasing problem in this country as we now know that around fifteen percent of children and adolescents are considered obese. The WHYY Children's Service has worked on a number of fronts to bring the issue of childhood obesity to light. Here are some resources that may be helpful in understanding this health concern.
Childhood Obesity and Asthma
WHYY's Geeta Simons spoke with pediatric asthma specialist Dr. Gerald Kolski about the connection between childhood obesity and asthma. Dr. Kolski oversees Crozer-Keystone's Asthma Management Program.