Obesity rate for toddlers declines 43 percent in America, Study

While adults and older children continue to struggle with obesity, America’s chubby infants and tubby toddlers appear to be slimming down.

The prevalence of obesity among U.S. children ages 2- to 5-years-old has fallen from 14 percent in 2003 and 2004 to 8.4 percent in 2011 and 2012 – roughly a 43-percent decline, according new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“For kids, particular head start and low-income kids, we see about 20 percent of the kids, slightly less than that, are obese or overweight,” said Director of the Eau Claire City County Health Department Lieske Giese.

Giese says educational efforts pushed in the last decade are paying off. Parents seem to be more aware of obesity and its risks today.

“When my daughter was little (she is 16 now) we gave her juice all the time; and that has been linked to obesity, that’s one thing I would have done differently had I known,” said mother of four from Eau Claire Jen Vandyke.

She says her family made efforts to be healthier, and those habits evolved over the years. Vandyke says it’s a commitment but it’s well worth it.

“We know that about a third of adults in Eau Claire County are obese,” said Giese.

She says by getting healthier themselves, parents set an example.
And as a dad of a 17-month-old boy, Greg Lemke Jr. agrees.

“I try to lead by example; exercise and eat right and everything, your kids are always watching your behaviors,” said Lemke.

Giese says the research findings are encouraging, especially because obesity leads to heart disease and early death and overall costs the state billions of dollars.

“It’s not only about what parents do, it’s all about what schools and daycares do; and if we can start changing the practices and policies at those kind of places it’s going to make a huge difference,” added Giese.

Giese says the health department works with day cares and schools to make changes that encourage kids to exercise and eat better.

The First Lady Michelle Obama also announced a new government proposal that would curb junk food ads in schools.

Agencies/Canadajournal