New Survey Reveals Kids Worried About Obesity, Too

The intense media attention and warnings from the medical community about the alarming rate of childhood obesity in the United States appear to be reaching children.

The first of a series of KidsHealth KidsPolls surveyed over 1,100 children from 9 to 13 years old about weight-related issues. Fifty-two percent of kids surveyed believe there is a problem with kids being overweight today. Fifty-nine percent said they’ve tried to lose weight.

Even of respondents who classified themselves as being about the right weight , about half say they worry or stress about their weight and 57% admitted to having tried to lose weight. Surprisingly, 43% of those who classify themselves as slightly or very underweight have tried to lose weight.

Girls worry or stress more about weight than boys, have been talked to more about their weight, and have tried to lose weight more .

Further, children appear to make the connection between weight and nutrition and exercise. When asked what is the most important cause of kids being overweight, 29% said it was kids not getting enough exercise, 25% said kids not eating right, and 19% blamed fast- food restaurants serving the wrong foods. A hopeful statistic found that 69% of kids said that eating healthy and exercising was the best way to control body weight, well ahead of the second place answer, going on a diet. When asked for the best way to learn how to keep a healthy weight, 34% of kids said from a doctor or nurse, followed by 27% who said joining a group, club, or team that teaches me about physical activity.

The KidsHealth KidsPoll also revealed that kids are aware of the social and emotional ramifications of being overweight. Sixty percent of kids surveyed said it was harder for overweight kids to make friends. Fifty- four percent of kids say they stress or worry about their weight – 14% say they worry every day. However, when asked who talks to them individually about their weight, 44% of kids surveyed said no one ever talks to me about my weight.

Over 1,100 children ages 9 to 13 participated in the KidsHealth KidsPoll on weight-related issues at nine member sites of the National Association of Health Education Centers throughout the United States. The study was conducted by researchers from the Department of Health Education and Recreation, Southern Illinois University Carbondale. When survey participants were asked to describe their weight, 55% said they were about the right weight, 22% said they were slightly or very overweight, and 23% said they were slightly or very underweight.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the percentage of overweight children in the United States tripled since 1980. Thirty percent of children are now classified as being either overweight or at risk for becoming overweight.

About The Author:

Art Peters is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-kids.com. Helping parents find kid-approved clothes, toys, games, books, activities and more.

	Obesity In Children
New Survey Reveals Kids Worried About Obesity, Too