Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
A New Study Links Childhood Injuries to Childhood Obesity
A new study links childhood injuries to childhood obesity. A recent study published in AJC Solutions, analyzed 23,000 children who went to the emergency department at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center between 2005 and 2008.
According to the article, in their analysis of the weight and injuries of these children researchers found that sprains to the ankle or leg were the most common lower body injuries. About one-sixth of the children with these injuries were obese. The researchers also found that obesity, lengthens the children’s time to recover because the additional weight and stress causes more damage to the body.
A recent Child Obesity conference held at University of California-Berkeley presented federal data that shows the number of obese children in the U.S. has doubled for children aged 6-11 years, and tripled< among children aged 12-19 years.
In these difficult economic times, more families are being challenged to feed their families healthy foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, which are more expensive. Fewer resources are available to families and food banks because of recent budget cuts.
Hazards of childhood obesity
Research shows that obese children are more likely to develop hazardous health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes.
Obese children and adolescents are also more likely to become obese adults. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one study found that approximately 80% of children who were overweight at aged 10–15 years were obese adults at age 25 years. Studies also show that if the child is obese before age 8, the obesity as adults is likely to be more severe.
Preventing childhood obesity
Parents can help their children and prevent childhood obesity by following these recommendations:
- promote healthier lifestyles
- promote healthier eating by providing vegetables, fruits, whole grain products
- cut back on sugar and calories
- promote school wellness policies
- provide low-fat dairy products or eliminate dairy foods altogether
- use lean meats, poultry, fish, lentils, and beans
- encourage children to drink water
- keep children physically active with walking, running, soccer, swimming, dancing
- limit children’s time playing video games and watching TV
For more information on childhood obesity, go to the website of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Kiley Law Group, located in Andover and Boston, Massachusetts takes time when speaking with you about your case and works with you on a contingent basis so there are NO FEES unless our trained Boston child injury lawyers win your case. Call now for a FREE evaluation of your case: 1-888-208-1695.
