Jayme Cilente

SLM 521

Summer 2006

Youth Obesity

http://www.obesity.org/subs/fastfacts/obesity_youth.shtml

During the past 20 years, obesity among adults has risen significantly in the United States. The latest data from the National Center for Health Statistics show that 30 percent of U.S. adults 20 years of age and older—over 60 million people—are obese.
This increase is not limited to adults. The percentage of young people who are overweight has more than tripled since 1980. Among children and teens aged 6–19 years, 16 percent (over 9 million young people) are considered overweight. This unit focuses on the obesity epidemic in youth.

Visit the Spotlight on Childhood Obesity by clicking on the picture.

Complete the following activities:

1. Make a list of ten facts associated with youth obesity you learned from reading the article.
2. What are the genetic factors that contribute to youth obesity? Talk to your parents and find out what factors you are at risk for now and in your future.
3. What are the factors that contribute to youth obesity that you can control? List three and ways you can avoid those factors.