Epidemic Seen in Overweight Children
Data for adults shows that the number of people who are overweight increased by more than 50% in the last 10 years. A study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA, 2001;286(22):2845) set out to determine if a similar increase could also be seen in children. The study analyzed data from 8,270 children from 1986 to 1998. It concluded that overweight prevalence increased rapidly among American children, particularly among minorities. In addition, overweight children were heavier in 1998 when compared to 1986. The study further concluded that strategies are required “to increase physical activity and encourage healthy eating patterns among children”.