Thread: Childhood Obesity Studies

Copied from the old message board -- originally posted by LCAndrea (Nov. 2002)...

More on childhood obesity fromt the Journal Pediatrics November issue.
The first study confirms the alarming rate at which childhood obesity is becoming an epidemic: the study concluded that in the population studied, "by age 19, more than half of black girls were overweight and more than one third were obese. Almost half of white girls were overweight and almost 1 of 5 girls were obese".
http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/conten...ract/110/5/e54

The second study was done to determine whether BMI (body mass index) was associated with sexual maturity in teens. It was shown that higher BMI was associated with earlier sexual maturiy in girls, but later sexual maturity in boys.
http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/conten...ract/110/5/903
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On the subject of childhood obesity, I read a story this morning about approving gastric bypass surgery for obese children! I was shocked! I wish I could find the link to post it here...I read so many news sites. If anyone else saw it, and can find it first, please post the link.
AJ
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Here, I found it:
http://www2.ocregister.com/ocrweb/oc...month=11&day=4
AJ
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The thing that always gets me... is that the kids are now going to have to avoid sugar to avoid serious side effects. WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TAKE THEIR SUGAR AWAY BEFORE??? Maybe if they weren't given sugar, they would have been able to lose weight naturally.
Katie (Felonee)
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The sad thing is that doctors pretty much ignore this problem until it is so severe that something like surgery is called for. My son is somewhat overweight, but not yet obese. He also has severe food allergies and seems to crave certain foods -- probably because he lacks something in his diet. He has only started gaining in the last 2 years (he just turned 8). He was underweight prior to that time and we were happy to see him eat a lot. Now I worry about an endocrine disorder. I have asked 3 doctors about it and they all said "oh, he'll grow out of it". I finally convinced my husband that we really had to limit the sugary drinks (my husband thought it was fine for him to drink juice all day). I am also trying to get my son to wait about 30 minutes before he has a second helping. If he's still really hungry, I let him have more, but he often is more full than he realizes. The lack of sugary drinks for the last few months seems to have helped. He has not lost, but he has not gained and is growing taller.

Given the complexities of my son's eating issues (allergies, cravings, etc.), I would really like some help, but the doctors just ignore it. If we don't help him now, he could likely be one of those kids in the future who is looking at surgery or other drastic remedies.
Sadly, the doctors will probably shake their head and wonder what we did wrong as parents, rather than admit that they provide no support for concerned parents until kids are in severe situations.
Sorry for the rant. . . .
Law1
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Law1,
Sometimes, the food that is craved is often the one that you are allergic to.
meg

Ok, first let me admit I do not have any children. I do work with parents and their family meals consist of lots of boxed meals which are cheap and fill the family up (carbo loading).

I think parents have the control-

Ya know, it really is very simple. Feed them meat and veggies. cut out the sugar. Get them used to drinking water. My girls will reach for a water before they go for the pop. We are such a sugar coated society, it just makes me want to spit.Parents have the control. Who does the shopping. When I started cooking for my step-kids, it took them about 3 nights to realize that if they didn't eat what was in front of them for dinner, they would go to bed hungry. They changed their eating habits right away. (I'm thankful they didn't pitch fits about it. They actually thought I was a really GOOD cook afterwhile.) It just irks me to know that parents give in to their kids' whims when it comes to food. Do what's easy.........not what's right. GRRRRRRRRRR



Barb
Atkins-3/14/03
174/150.4/135
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."