Our Overweight Children: What Parents, Schools, and Communities Can Do to Control the Fatness Epidemic Volume 13

by Sharron Dalton

Book Overview

The United States is facing a health crisis of epidemic proportions: children are gaining weight younger and faster than ever before. With the prospect of becoming the most obese generation of adults in history, they are already turning up with an alarming assortment of "grown-up" maladies, from type 2 diabetes to high blood pressure. This book takes a clear-eyed look at what's behind the statistics and diagnoses, and what can be done about the major health crisis among American children.

Sharron Dalton begins with the basics: what obesity is, what causes it, and why it matters. Integrating information from scientific and popular sources, she reviews past remedies and their results and compares specific strategies and programs for children. When a third of our children are overweight or likely to become so, it's everyone's problem--and this book argues for a united approach, promoting the role of parents, health professionals, and school and community leaders. For each group, Dalton outlines actions to combat the epidemic. She suggests ways for parents to respond to their children in interactions centered on food and physical activities. And she illuminates a number of issues raised by childhood obesity, from the pain of fat discrimination to the economic, social, and political ramifications of an epidemic of obesity among the young.

At once authoritative and nontechnical, no-nonsense and compassionate, Our Overweight Children is a clear call to action--a prescription for treating the most dire problem threatening our children's health and our nation's future.

Our Overweight Children includes

* A discussion of what obesity is, what causes it, and why it matters

* A review of various remedies and their results

* A comparison of specific strategies and programs for children

* A plan for parents, health professionals, and school and community leaders to work together to confront childhood obesity

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0520246667
• ISBN13: 9780520246669
• Release Date: September 2005
• Publisher: University of California Press
• Length: 292 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.9" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

A MUST READ FOR ALL WHO CARE FOR CHILDREN

Inspiring and practical- Sharron Dalton's account of childhood obesity is a must read for anyone who cares about our future (our children). Adults who are struggling to help children in their care achieve a healthy weight and active lifestyle will find this book a valuable resource. As a health care professional working with overweight children for many years, I've found this book to be a thorough and practical guide for the treatment and prevention of childhood obesity. The personal burdens that overweight children bear is covered with depth and warmth. Dalton's kind and helpful tone guides you through each recommendation for change that will help to treat overweight children, and help prevent obesity in others. Reasonable steps to take for schools, governmental agencies, teachers and parents are provided in detail to inspire us and to help us get started in being a voice for the health of all of our children.