Child Obesity Question? Ask Dr. Besser!
Feb. 8, 2010— -- For millions of children and adolescents in the United States, obesity is a big problem -- and it's getting worse.
Between 1980 and 2006, obesity rates more than doubled for children aged 2 to 5 years, and it nearly tripled for children aged 6 to 11, according to statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And for those aged 12 to 19, rates of obesity more than tripled during this time period -- from 5 percent to more than 17 percent.
For parents, the trend should be a worrying one; obese children not only experience health problems while they are young, but research suggests that these children are also at a higher risk for certain diseases and conditions later on in life.
ABC News Senior Health and Medical Editor Dr. Richard Besser wants to hear your questions about childhood obesity, how it may affect your child, and how to prevent it. Please share your question by filling out the form below. Dr. Besser will answer selected questions, and these responses will be posted in an article on ABCNews.com.
