HHS HealthBeat (December 17, 2008)

Kids shedding weight

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Seventeen percent of U.S. children and teens are obese. And that extra weight increases their risk for asthma, diabetes, heart problems, sleep apnea and psychological issues related to weight.

But there are programs to help families learn healthy habits which raise the chances that the kids will be successful in losing weight and keeping it off.

The director of HHS’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Dr. Carolyn Clancy, points to programs that take place in pediatric clinics and meet once or twice a week for 6 to 12 months. There are similar school-based programs.

And Dr. Clancy says there are things families can do together.

“There is no clear-cut solution that works for everyone, but it does help to have the whole family adopt healthy habits early to reduce the risks of any member becoming obese.”  (10 seconds)

Learn more at hhs.gov.

Last revised: December, 17 2008