52% Believe Childhood Obesity is Society's Problem to Solve

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

18 Dec 2006 06:50 AM

This is hardly a news alert and we've discussed the growing problem with childhood obesity in the United States. But according to a poll conducted by Research America and the Endocrine Society, 27% cited obesity as the chief health issue for their children. 16% named a lack of health care and insurance with 9% citing poor nutrition.

More Poll Results

Among the other results the poll revealed were:

• 57% believe that most adults are overweight or obese
• 35% believe that most children are overweight or obese
• 52% believe that obesity is a public health issue that needs to be solved
• 46% believe it is a private issue and personal to the individual
• 98% believe childhood obesity is directly the responsibility of the parents
• 87% believe childhood obesity should be addressed by schools
• 81% believe childhood obesity should be addressed by the food industry
• Only 67% believe obesity should be addressed by the government

This poll clearly states that Americans are intimately aware of the growing problem of obesity. The media saturation and news reports have gotten the message across. Awareness is often the key to solving the problems we face. What I found most interesting was a small note in the poll that stated 67% were willing to pay a $1 or more week in excess taxes if the money were earmarked specifically to health research.

I can't say I disagree with that percentage. I would also willingly pay more money in taxes if it were specifically targeting serious health care issues in our country. To that end, it's important for us as individuals to recognize that we can donate our money where we would wish. Scientific research and health research can help us to identify causality and treatment in many health care issues including obesity.

There is already an entire field of research out there and they've already identified multiple areas and causes of obesity as well as solutions. One major problem is an imbalance of energy - in other words we consume too much energy versus how much we put out. The solution would be to exercise more in order to bring our energy input versus our energy output back into balance.

Did any of these statistics surprise you?

Related Articles:

How to Fight the Belly Bulge

Kid Fitness: Three in Ten Children Are Obese

Fit Family - Miami Moms Take Action

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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