An Epidemic of Childhood Obesity

The increasing number of obese children and youth throughout the United States has led policy makers to rank it as a critical public health threat. Since the 1970s, the prevalence (or percentage) of obesity has more than doubled for preschool children aged 2-5 years and adolescents aged 12-19 years, and it has more than tripled for children aged 6-11 years. At present, approximately nine million children over six years of age are obese.

Child Obesity Fact Sheets:

Overview
The Role of Schools
The Role of Parents
The Role of Communities

 

For a full report from the Institute of Medicine "Preventing Childhood Obesity" go to www.iom.edu

To view the entire series of pdf fact sheets go to: http://www.iom.edu/focuson.asp?id=22593