Obesity Rates High Among Infants and Toddlers

As obesity rates continue to rise, it seems all sectors of the population are affected. A newly published study of 16,400 children born in the United States in 2001 has revealed that 31.9% of 9-month-old babies and 34.3% of 2-year-olds were obese or at risk for obesity. The study appeared in the January/February issue of the American Journal of Health Promotion (2011; 25 [13], 190). Hispanic children and children from lower-income families had the highest obesity risk of all populations. Male children were at greater risk than female children. “Being in an undesirable weight category at 9 months subsequently predisposed children to remain in a less desirable weight category,” added lead study author Brian Moss.. . . the number of adults being treated for diabetes doubling between 2007 and 1996; . . . a 24 Hour Fitness survey in which 72% of consumers said they hoped to exercise more in the New Year;. . . the expanding number of video game exercise programs being developed by video game manufact