Obesity is the top worry among adults with and without children, says the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital's National Poll on Children's Health, a survey measuring adults’ main concerns over the state of children’s physical and emotional well-being. The survey, which polled 2,064 adults this past April, indicates increasing nationwide concern over the escalating weight of American children; last year obesity was the number three concern among adults. In 2007, cigarette smoking was the number one concern for kids’ health among adults.

 

The rest of the top ten concerns regarding children health were as follows: drug abuse, smoking, bullying, Internet safety, child abuse and neglect, teen pregnancy, alcohol abuse, ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and sexually transmitted infection (tied at number nine), and chemicals in the environment.

 

Researchers stated that 2008 is the first year that chemicals in the environment, bullying and ADHD were rated in the top ten rankings.

 

“The National Poll on Children's Health report clearly shows that adults in America are very concerned about the problem of childhood obesity and its causes," says Matthew M. Davis, MD, the poll director, in a press release.

"While recent studies have suggested that the childhood obesity epidemic may be leveling off, the results of this poll reveal that adults in the U.S. are still very much concerned about this issue," Davis added.

The poll also demonstrated that issues of importance varied between demographics; for instance, among African-Americans, teen pregnancy was the top concern (35 percent), compared with a third of Hispanics (33 percent) and less than a quarter of whites (21 percent).

 

Drug abuse, the second top concern overall, was the number one issue among Hispanics, with half (50 percent) citing it as their number one issue. Over a third (35 percent) of African-Americans named it as their top health concern, compared with less than a third of whites (29 percent). Just over half of Hispanics (52 percent) called cigarette smoking their major concern this year.

 

Miami-based doctor Gabriela Cora, MD, MBA notes that there have been “some significant changes from last year to this year across races. For instance, teenage pregnancy has increased in concern in the African-American population whereas smoking and drug use seem to be of more concern in the Latino population,” she explains. “Increased awareness and education of these issues as well as their impact in overall health may have played a significant role in the perception of health-related problems.”

 

Household income levels also played a role in what people were most likely to cite as top issues. People from lower income brackets were more likely to cite drug abuse as a major worry than were those from high and middle class brackets. Participants making low and mid-level incomes were also more likely to name ADHD as a top concern than those making higher incomes. Middle class parents were more likely than either low- or high-income parents to name bullying as a chief concern.

 

High-income participants were more likely to name Internet safety as a main concern, with those making $100,000 annually more apt to name it as a danger than adults making low- or mid-level incomes.

 

When it comes to concern about chemicals in the environment, race and income played a role; researchers stated that the responses from Hispanics and low-income participants placed this issue on the top ten list. A quarter of adults in the lowest income bracket (25 percent) and nearly a third of Hispanics (30 percent) cited noxious chemicals in the environment as a top issue affecting children’s health.

 

The top issue, obesity, is a complicated topic due to the nation’s various cultural standards of thinness. “Obesity is an issue across races. However, the acceptance of being overweight varies across the States. Caucasian girls, for instance, have a slimmer ideal as compared to women of color,” Cora tells demo dirt.

 

It may be especially challenging to combat obesity due to the perceived sense of normalcy that sets in as people are surrounded by more and more overweight individuals, especially in their families or neighborhood. “If people feel being overweight is ‘normal,’ because after all, all their family members may be overweight, then it may be more difficult to address obesity as a problem,” Cora adds.

 

What is the best way for concerned parents to handle their children’s weight problems without damaging their fragile and developing egos? “It is most important to lead by example,” Cora maintains. “Parents can't tell their children to watch what they eat and have a healthy lifestyle unless they are ready to commit to doing the same”

 

Making health a family priority is key, Cora says. “The parents must show they care about healthy lifestyles and must be an excellent role model. The ‘don't try smoking or drinking—like I did—

otherwise, you won't be able to stop—just like I can't,’” will not work, she says.

 

Instead of telling their kids what to do, parents must actively demonstrate that they are committed to good health. “It is of the essence that the parent stop smoking and drinking, eat healthy and exercise regularly. Then, it will be much easier to engage the child in positive attitudes,” Cora adds.

 

No matter what the income level or ethnic background, moms and dads all have something in common. “Parents are concerned about their children's health and well-being,” Cora concludes. “Providing for their support and inviting them to engage in a healthy lifestyle approach is of the essence.”

 

Dr. Gaby Cora is a managing work in life expert coach who will help you achieve quantum wellbeing while you are leading under pressure. Visit www.DrGabyCora.com or call 305-762-7632 for more information on Dr. Gaby Cora’s seminars, coaching programs and keynotes.