Childhood Obesity, a Growing Epidemic

Childhood Obesity, a Growing Epidemic

Childhood obesity.

Mercy Medical Pediatrician, Dr. Steven Joyce, says, "Parents recognize it, children recognize it, family members recognize it, but not many people talk about it."

But as Clinique Williams of Sioux City understands all too well, addressing the issue works.

Williams says, "My 8 year old put on like a 'Freshman 10' without being a college student."

And local pediatricians say stories like Williams are becoming all too common.

Dr. Joyce says, "Pediatric Obesity is at an epidemic, there's no question about it. It can become a huge medical issue not just for the medical state of point of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, but also the psychiatric component with self–esteem, depression anxiety and those symptoms."

Doctors and parents agree. Making it a team effort and making it fun is fail proof. But experts say it's much more than implementing healthier foods.

Dr. Joyce says, "Until they actually exercise and expend more calories, there's little hope for weight loss."

That's part of the reason kid–friendly physical fitness programs, like "Kids Yoga" at the Norm Waitt YMCA, are popping up around Siouxland.

Yoga instructor, Amanda Dickinson, says, "We have kids from ages 3–5 and 5 and up for half hour intervals and this is just to get the kids moving, while the parents are working out. They feel better if their kids are active instead of just sitting around a computer screen."

And just ask the pro's, like 3 year old, Rylee Winquist. Exercise isn't only effective. It can also be fun.

Winquist says, "It's really fun!"

So while the nation begins preparing for the millions of dollars it's about to receive for the sake of happy and healthy kids, health experts say it's going to take much more than that. Until society changes their attitudes about healthy eating and exercise, this fight against obesity will continue among both children and adults.