Obesity rates in children are now as much of a concern for parents as is the risk of drug abuse, according to a study conducted by the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health. The fifth annual survey reveals that obesity rates are at the forefront of parents’ minds when it comes to health and children.
The May 2011 survey polled 2,130 adults about 23 risky behaviors and health concerns for children. Overall, childhood obesity and drug abuse were ranked the same. According to the poll, 33 percent of those surveyed ranked to the health concerns as the most serious problem facing children.
Smoking, teen pregnancy and bullying were ranked next in the poll. Other concerns rounding up the top 10 on the poll include internet safety, alcohol abuse, stress, car accidents and sexting.
The poll also found variations in rankings among different ethnicities. Overall, whites ranked childhood obesity as a larger concern over drug abuse, while Hispanics and blacks ranked drug abuse as a bigger problem for kids.
"This may be a warning to public health officials, because it indicates how the public is hearing national messages that previous increases in children's obesity rates have recently leveled off,” said Matthew Davis, M.D., director of the National Poll on Children's Health, as reported by U.S. News Wire.
