Executive Park Physical Therapy will be conducting an Obesity Awareness Seminar at Paideia School 15 in Yonkers, on Friday, June 8th 2012. This seminar is part of a national effort to eradicate childhood obesity in the United States.
(prHWY.com) June 5, 2012 - Yonkers, NY -- During the past four decades, obesity rates have soared among all age groups, increasing more than fourfold among children ages 6 to 11. More than 23 million children and teenagers (31.8 percent) ages two to 19 are obese or overweight. This is a statistic that health and medical experts consider an epidemic.
"The growing rate of childhood obesity in our country is alarming," says Dr. Hernandez. "National Childhood Obesity Awareness and Executive Park Physical Therapy recognize the serious threat obesity poses to the health of America's children and the importance of decreasing its prevalence not only in Yonkers, but across the entire United States."
Obese young people have an 80-percent chance of becoming obese adults and are more likely than children of normal weight to become overweight or obese adults. As a result, they are more at risk for associated adult health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, stroke, several types of cancer and osteoarthritis.
The financial implications add up to a sobering $14 billion per year in direct health care costs alone. Americans spend approximately nine percent of their total medical costs on obesity related illnesses. Additionally, there are psychosocial consequences that can hinder academic and social functioning and persist into adulthood.
"These severe consequences underscore the critical importance of children and teens to
participate in physical activity and to engage in healthy eating habits," Dr. Hernandez.
"Childhood obesity is entirely preventable. It's up to adults to encourage these healthy habits."
September 2010 was the first National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, established by presidential and congressional proclamations. "Nothing can be more important than protecting the health and well-being of our children for years to come. With a strong unity of purpose, we can make a difference for our kids," said Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge, who co-sponsored the House resolution. "I look forward to parents, health care providers, educators, civic leaders and organizations joining the effort to end childhood obesity."
"Childhood obesity is a public health crisis," said Congresswoman Kay Granger, a co-sponsor. "Children need information and guidance to make informed decisions about food and exercise. Childhood Obesity Awareness Month supports the goals of families, schools, and communities who are working to ensure we raise a healthier generation. If we keep our kids healthy now it will alleviate a major burden on our health care system while giving millions of young people the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives."
Physical therapists' extensive knowledge of health conditions allows them to examine people of all ages and abilities and design safe and effective physical activity programs that help establish life-long habits of physical activity. For those who are overweight or obese or have a physical disability, physical therapists can perform a evaluation and devise safe exercise programs that increase strength and cardiovascular endurance, restore flexibility, and reduce pain when it exists.
For people with type 2 diabetes, physical therapists can help reduce the need for medications, lower risk of heart disease and stroke, and help manage glucose levels, among other benefits, through safe and appropriate physical activity.
For more information on the resources available to help prevent obesity and the health implications that it brings, visit
http://www.executiveparkpt.com
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