from Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
A survey of parents whose children had been referred to an obesity clinic by their primary care doctor may be unsettling. Although most of the children had metabolic markers of obesity, one-third of the parents perceived their children’s health as excellent or very good and nearly that many did not perceive their child’s weight as a health concern. Again, keep in mind these children were enrolled in an obesity program at the urging of their doctor. Fewer than half of the parents said they were increasing their child’s involvement in physical activity, such as active play, sports, dancing or walking, even though diet AND exercise are considered keys to good health. The study appearing in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics comes from the University of California San Diego.