Posted on Tue, Aug 17, 2010 : 5:51 p.m.
Top 10 concerns among adults over children's health
By Tina Reed
Obesity among children is the top health concern for adults queried for an annual survey on children's health taken by the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health.
In May, researchers polled more than 2,000 adults about 20 different children's health concerns in their communities, according to the University of Michigan.
File photo
Here are the results of the survey:
- Childhood obesity at 38 percent
- Drug abuse at 30 percent
- Smoking at 29 percent
- Internet safety at 25 percent
- Stress at 24 percent
- Bullying at 23 percent
- Teen pregnancy at 23 percent
- Child abuse and neglect at 21 percent
- Alcohol abuse at 20 percent
- Not enough opportunities for physical activity at 20 percent
Check out the full report online by visiting http://www.med.umich.edu/mott/npch/pdf/081610report.pdf.
Tina Reed covers health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. You can reach her at tinareed@annarbor.com, call her at 734-623-2535 or find her on Twitter @TreedinAA.
Comments
flygande_jakob
Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 9:55 a.m.
These concerns might disappear if parents first gave their kids real food and encouraged them to get outside, and second if they didn't spend the rest of their time frantically shielding the world from them. Example re: point 9: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100819112224.htm
wj
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 11:37 a.m.
Agree with AlphaAlpha. My concerns are around partially hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, hormones in dairy products and processed foods! Unless you want your child "developing" too early and having health problems, buy only organic milk and dairy and avoid the processed crap!
jns131
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 9:03 a.m.
Don't get me started about breast feeding. I am of the opinion there is no right or wrong issue to this. Bottle is best if you can't. I couldn't, I was bottle fed and so was my daughter. Her brain is healthy and so is her health. The only concern I have is whether or not she will do well in school, make the right choices and continue to eat healthy as I have taught her. The reason for obesity is parental unit uneducated choices, unhealthy restaurants and lack of information when it comes to our children eating healthy. A child's schedule is also reason for obesity and unhealthy eating. Mine is healthy and busy. Boycott school lunches. This is one of the most unhealthy lunches ever. One can pack healthier then they can. Stay informed and as parents, our children can learn to eat healthier.
Mature Townie
Tue, Aug 17, 2010 : 11:26 p.m.
Instead of adults focusing, stressing and worrying about the "10 Concerns Over Children's Health." How about parents, teachers and the community, focusing on good solid parenting, guiding children towards positive outcomes and personal accountability! That would solve most of these concerns.
AlphaAlpha
Tue, Aug 17, 2010 : 9:26 p.m.
It's too bad that such factors as the importance of breast feeding, and the importance of avoiding poisons such as partially hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup were not even recognized as issues...