September is National Childhood Obesity Month

President Obama has declared September to be National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Childhood obesity is one of Texas’ fastest growing health challenges. While this crisis is impacting each and every segment of our society, children in our poorest communities and minority populations are affected the most. Faced with limited opportunities to obtain healthy foods and limited access to safe natural open areas to play, many of our communities are confronted with increasing obstacles and spiraling disease rates.

Obesity rates have doubled among children and tripled among adolescents the past 20 years. 70% of overweight children become overweight/obese adults. Texas is 20th among states for overweight children in the Nation. One third of children (10-17) in Texas are overweight or obese. 42% of fourth graders in Texas are or are at risk of being overweight. The Texas Department of State Health Services projects that by 2040, annual overweight- and obesity-related costs could be as high as $39 billion. The Comptroller of Public Accounts estimates that obesity cost Texas businesses $3.3 billion in 2005, and could cost employers $15.8 billion annually by 2025 if the trend continues.

To learn more about what you can do about childhood obesity and nutrition visit Health and Strength and Daily Food.