Minorities finally acknowledge childhood obesity as a top health priority

Childhood overweight is a health concern that has been getting a lot of attention recently. Despite public health efforts to raise awareness of overweight and obesity in all Americans, we continue to get heavier and heavier. Our children and youth are no exception, and hispanic children are among the heaviest of them. According to "F as in Fat 2009", 18.1% of Hispanic high school students are overweight and 16.6% of them are obese. These rates may not sound high, but in comparison to their non-Hispanic White counterparts (at 14.3% and 10.8%, respectively), these rates are alarming.

But a new poll by C.S. Mott Children's Hospital reveals that adults of all ethnicities are tuning into this serious health concern. In fact, adults of all ethnicities rated childhood obesity as the number one health concern affecting children in 2009. Just last year, Hispanic adults rated childhood obesity in 6th place. It is great to see that in as little as one year, Hispanics are more aware of the problem and its severity.

This is great news! Our efforts are obviously working. Congratulations to everyone who has worked to share this important health message with Hispanics.

Good luck and healthy wishes,

Stacy Allen


Too see the full report titled "F as in Fat" please visit http://healthyamericans.org/reports/obesity2009/Obesity2009Report.pdf