Obesity – #1 Childhood Health Concern In 2008

A national poll conducted by C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital’s National Poll on Children’s Health suggests that obesity problems are not limited to adults. In fact, childhood obesity came in at #1 in their poll, bumping smoking and drug abuse from the top spots a year ago.

Here is the complete list:

1. Obesity – 35%
2. Drug Abuse – 33%
3. Smoking – 32%
4. Bullying – 28%
5. Internet Safety – 27%
6. Child Abuse & Neglect – 25%
7. Teen Pregnancy – 24%
8. Alcohol Abuse – 23%
9. ADHD/Sexually Transmitted Infection (tie) – 21%
10. Chemicals in the Environment/Not Enough Physical Activity (tie) – 19%

Just a thought, but perhaps if parents were more concerned with “Not Enough Physical Activity” (#10), obesity would not make the top 10.

CFisher

Reference:

C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital (2008). National Poll on Children’s Health, 4(2).  You can visit the website here.