Cinergy Health Update

As Cinergy Health and their medical director Dr. Margaret Lewin have discussed many times, childhood obesity is becoming a large problem in America. There are major efforts underway to lower these obesity rates, as one in three US children and teenagers are estimated to be obese or overweight.

A recent study in Pediatrics magazine showed that obese children are 65% more likely to be bullied than are other children, and this bullying often begins in the home.

A 2006 study published in Obesity showed that 72% of the almost 2500 overweight and obese women had been stigmatized by their own families because of their weight.

Parents need to be responsible for helping children to lose weight, but they shouldn’t do so through intimidation or bullying. Rather, they need to provide healthy food options in the house, teach children about portion control, encourage children to participate in physical activities and model healthy living.