First Lady Michelle Obama taking on childhood Obesity!!

I am excited that Mrs. Obama has chosen to champion the issue of childhood obesity. Not just as a Nutritionist but as a mother of children who are average to normal weight and often times get ridiculed for being skinny, bony and so on. In a nation where big, and bigger is now the norm, we have fast lost concept of what normal is. Childhood obesity is not only a problem for children; it is a problem for adults, doctors and teachers alike. Parents have to deal with having an obese child, who may or may not develop diet related diseases at a much earlier age than is expected. It is a fact that obese children are ridiculed more in schools, but that is not the only reason to keep our children's weight within the norm.

According to the CDC 16 %( over 9 million) 6-19 years old are either overweight or obese. In addition to the 16% who are overweight or obese 15% are at risk of becoming overweight (Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity Among Children and Adolescents: United States, 1999-2002"; Oct. 6, 2004). The significance of these numbers will be felt for years to come in these children lives. More than likely they will stay overweight, or obese into adulthood. The impact of this on one's health is reflective of why it is important to combat this epidemic now. High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, High Cholesterol, Heart Disease and even some forms of cancers are risk factors associated with obesity.

Children as young as 8 years are developing health problems such as diabetes, and high blood pressure due to obesity. Do we want to have a nation of children who are diabetic by the age of 16, can we manage the cost of caring for these children once they have developed these complications. The truth is America already has a health care crisis and it will only get worse if we do not start educating and stressing the importance of prevention. The old saying goes "Prevention is better than cure". Preventing childhood obesity now in beneficial for all of us in the long run. Michelle Obama’s fight is one that I gladly embrace. If we can stamp out or decrease the number of incidences of childhood obesity we will decrease the impact of diet related illnesses in our communities.