Obesity continuing problem for kids

Childhood obesity continues to be a rising health problem. Some experts say it’s the biggest public health challenge of our time.

In the past 40 years, in the United States alone, child obesity rates have tripled; and today, nearly one in three children in America are overweight or obese. Contributing factors are complex and often oversimplified, yet studies show that poor nutrition, sugar-sweetened beverages, excessive screen time and inadequate physical activity are contributing to the problem.

How did this happen?

Thirty years ago, most children led lives that kept them at a healthy weight. Kids walked to and from school every day, ran around at recess, participated in gym class and played outside for hours after school.

Home-cooked meals with fruits, vegetables and reasonable portion sizes were the norm. Eating fast food was infrequent, and snacking between meals was an occasional treat.

Today, children experience a very different lifestyle.

Walking and biking to and from school have been replaced by car and bus rides. Gym class and after-school sports have been cut; afternoons are now spent with TV, video games and on the computer. Parents are busier than ever, and families eat fewer home-cooked meals together.

This story appears in the print edition of The Tribune. Subscribers can read the entire story online by signing in here or in our e-Edition by clicking here.