Overweight Children:What Can We Do?

The prevalence of obesity in the United States has doubled over the past three decades among every age group, including children. In Maine, 11 percent of adolescents are obese, and three percent are at least 75 to 100 pounds overweight. Thirty percent of Maine children are considered overweight, surpassing the American average of twenty-two percent. This is an area in which we clearly do not want to claim a lead.

Childhood obesity is a significant cause for concern. In addition to the alarming potential for medical/health concerns, there are the difficult, often painful social aspects of being obese that a child faces. Some of these include, being made fun of, being bullied, being isolated, not being able to participate in sports, and not being included in social events such as parties.

Our children are less active today than ever, with television viewing, video games and computer activities becoming the "baby-sitter" for children of all ages from every economic group. Here in Portland, Maine, two out of every three homes have more than one television. One of every three homes in Portland has four or more televisions!

To make matters worse, public schools today tend to offer fewer opportunities for physical activity, both during the school day and after school. One-quarter of the entire population in Maine fails to engage in any kind of fitness activity. This alone means that an individual eating the recommended caloric intake and consumption of food will be eating more calories than he or she is expending.

We need to get our children moving! This may mean that parents and adults have to move along with their children. Physical activity can be a great way to spend quality time with children, whether hiking, bicycling, playing tag or organized sports. It doesn't matter as long as it's movement! Reducing the amount of time spent in passive computer/television activities will promote an increase in strength, endurance and coordination. This physical activity is integral to weight maintenance and helps reduce body fat.

At the same time, we need to increase the variety of foods that our children are exposed to and decrease the consumption of empty calories such as soda and fast foods. In one year in Portland, $2,000,000 is spent on soda consumption alone and even more on candy.

If your family is battling with weight problems, inactivity and/or poor eating habits, make a family project of engaging in modest calorie reductions, increasing healthy foods and getting more physical activity in your day. Chart your progress as you begin to witness a steady weight loss. No doubt there will be many positive outcomes when you work together to be fit and healthy.

Cynthia Dodge, Ph.D., is Director of Clinical Services for Spurwink Services, a nationally accredited non-profit agency serving the diverse needs of children, adults and families who face emotional, behavioral or developmental challenges. To learn more about Spurwink Services, go to www.spurwink.org.