This week, Your Weight Matters is helping to recognize Obesity Care Week. This is a national awareness campaign that aims to change the way society cares about obesity by:
- Providing science and clinically-based education
- Advocating for access to affordable and comprehensive healthcare
Learn more about this awareness campaign at ObesityCareWeek.org.
Today, on March 6th of Obesity Care Week, the focus is on childhood obesity. This can be a tough topic to tackle, but childhood obesity is an important issue to address because it places kids at risk for diseases that were once only seen in adults (like type 2 diabetes). Obesity is a disease at any age. When childhood obesity goes untreated, health complications continue and get worse in adulthood.
Nonetheless, childhood obesity rates are climbing with more than 18% of children affected. This makes it the most common chronic disease of childhood.
Resources on Childhood Obesity:
- Childhood Obesity Fact Sheet (Obesity Care Week)
- Understanding Childhood Obesity Brochure (Obesity Action Coalition)
- Understanding Childhood Obesity Stigma (Obesity Action Coalition)
Here’s the Issue:
Addressing weight is hard for anyone in general. However, it can be even harder with children due to stigma and sensitive subject matter. A child may not understand the health impacts of excess weight and may not be able to see beyond the exterior. That’s why families need resources and trained healthcare providers to help, including pediatricians. Children with obesity also need comprehensive healthcare for families to be able to navigate their health journeys as a team. Family involvement is key for childhood weight management and treatment.
Take Action on Childhood Obesity Day
Obesity is a disease at any age. Do you believe that children with obesity deserve the same access to healthcare as adults? IF YES, Take Action and support Obesity Care Week by raising awareness about this important issue. Join Your Weight Matters in signing the OCW2020 Childhood Obesity Petition!
