It been known by obesity researchers that obesity can take hold at a young age. It should be known that it is mainly up to the parents to control what is being consumed at mealtimes, not the children. These children who develop obesity at a young age, as early as 6 years old, can start showing changes in their heart muscles which could lead to problems in the future. Starting healthier habits as a child can make them much easier to carry through as adults.
A federal study that will be published this Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association will show that the obesity rate among children aged 2 to 5 has dropped by 43% since 2004. This is the first reported decline in recent years that provides a good outlook for the future of Americans.
This proves that efforts being made in the preschools and elementary schools are working. Obama recently announced that there would be new rules that would ban the marketing of unhealthy foods to school children during the school day.
However some obesity researchers are not convinced by these reports. According to the CDC, many other age groups did not exhibit such progress and some even showed increases. During the study period, the obesity rate for women over 60 climbed from 31% to 35.4%. Facing the facts, obesity rates still remain at an all-time high and even though these findings are being published, many researchers are still skeptical. The only true testament to these preliminary findings will be to observe other age groups as time progresses.
In recent years, many organizations have teamed up worldwide to combat obesity rates including: United Nations, World Health Organization, National Institute of Health, and many others. There are tax credits in California for farmers who donate fresh produce. In Washington D.C., there is a program established to attract grocery stores to underserved areas. In 2011, 12 states adopted child nutrition laws to improve school meals.
Addressing this concern of obesity now with children will produce a generation of healthy adults that will hopefully perpetuate for many years to come.