Healthcare

Obesity rates among children and teens in the United States skyrocketed in the last 30 years.
Almost 40% of adults cited obesity as the biggest threat to youngsters and teenagers, followed by drug abuse, smoking, internet safety and stress.

From recent pooling also said that adults considered obesity the number one threat to children’s health in the United States and many believe the problem is getting worse.

According to director of the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll, Dr. Matthew M. Davis, “The message about the dangers of obesity and the prevalence of the disease among children has really gotten through to the American public.”

He added, “If we’d done this poll four years ago, obesity would not have been at the top the list.”

A 2008 study by the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta showed nearly one in five children aged 6 to 11 and 18% of 12 to 19 years olds were obese.

Dr. Davis said that more surprising is the rise of stress as a prominent health concern for parents, which he attributes to a trickle-down effect as the economy wobbles, parents react and children feel the changes.

He said, “Current economic conditions affect kids too. Kids notice changes in family activities, patterns, gifts, sometimes something as basic as food.”
He added, “This has really resonated around the country.”

According to the recent survey involved 2.064 adults conducted by polling company Knowldege Networks, Inc. for the University, adults of different races and ethnicity rated the top three threats to children differently.
Whites put obesity first, followed by drug abuse and smoking. Hispanic put drug abuse in the first, second in obesity and third in smoking. And for Blacks, smoking put the number one of concerning, followed by teen pregnancy and obesity.

Dr. Davis said all the major perceived threats to children’s health are behavioral, rather than congenital. Bullying, teen pregnancy, abuse and neglect, alcohol, and not enough opportunities for physical activity rounded out the top 10 health concerns.

Dr. Davis said that 16% of adults cited sexting as the top threat.
He said, “It’s about children’s behavior, parents’ behavior, community behavior. Parents say their communities don’t have enough opportunities for physical activity. But that’s not the kids’ fault. It’s because we build neighborhoods without sidewalks, without enough playground and green spaces.”