Arguably one of the most concerning aspects of the obesity crisis is how it is impacting our children. After 25 years of the climbing obesity rates in children, there may be cause for hope as these levels have stalled - according to the CDC. The findings, based on survey data gathered from 1999 to 2006 are published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Courtesy of NY Times)

Now the big question: Is this a temporary blip in the continued upward spiral, or is this cause to celebrate (with carrot sticks and a game of soccer, of course).

Guarded enthusiasm may be the best way to handle this news at the moment. With that, let's take a look at these findings from both perspectives.

The Glass Half Empty Viewpoint

• It is possible that this is just a natural lull - a saturation point in terms of the proportion of the population who are genetically susceptible to obesity in this environment. (Quote from Cynthia Ogden, the lead author of the journal report and an epidemiologist for the National Center for Health Statistics.)


• This still leaves the child obesity rate at an alarmingly high 32% - a number that will cause an entire generation of health concerns down the road.


• The data between 2 surveys (2003, 2006) had to be pooled as the net result of neither of the 2 surveys was statistically significant.

The Glass Half Full Viewpoint

• This means that government interventions centered on nutrition and activity are potentially working and that educational messages are reaching parents and children.


• If you can stop the damage, you can reverse it. There is no reason not to believe that this generation can be the one that reverses the course. If these interventions continue, this generation will be well-educated and continue to have the tools to live a healthy lifestyle. This is something they will be able to pass on to future generations.

What Now?

We have to keep fighting. Parents need to step up and provide the best possible situation for their children - one that involves a lifestyle centered around physical activity and healthy eating. We have to continue to put forth educational messages that will combat the powerful impact of marketing and convenience.

It's still an uphill battle, but these kinds of statistics give reason to believe it is possible.