The studies seem to grow more than the waistlines of the subjects themselves.
But here we've got another one, indicating childhood obesity has more than tripled over the last 30 years. And while that might not blow Irene or bump Beyonce off the front page, at least we've got someone stepping up (and off the couch).
The National Business Group on Health, a nonprofit consortium of larger employers (and, no, not that kind), says it's time employers took the lead in addressing this baby fat epidemic. According to the group, the United States boasts the highest percent of overweight kids in our history. (And, no, they're not just big boned.)
Recommended For You
Today, more than a third of U.S. children are considered "overweight or obese," which, of course, leads to higher health risks, higher-than-normal health care costs and even lower productivity from the parents who work for you.
Of course, a lot of these kids are following the examples being set for them at home.
"Parents have an enormous impact on the childhood obesity epidemic. A child under the age of 5 is at least 3 times more likely to become obese if one parent is obese. The chances skyrocket if both parents are obese. The good news is that employers can play a critical role in fighting the childhood obesity epidemic by helping families develop healthy lifestyles at work and in the home. In fact, a number of forward thinking companies are already leading the charge," National Business Group on Health President and CEO Helen Darling said in a press release.
Based on their own research in a study they just released, a third of employers already offer online weight management tools for children while nearly 30 percent offer telephonic or online coaching for weight management to children.
So, while we might have a lot of ground to cover, it's encouraging to see the awareness growing, and the employers stepping up to help out – both their employees and themselves.
Now I'm craving a milkshake. Be right back…
© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
