Childhood obesity in the U.S.—and China too? - Brief Article

As I sat in a conference room in Beijing recently, I wondered: How can it be that China and the U.S. are adopting the worst examples of each other's diets?

Instead of adopting the vegetable/soy-rich core of the Chinese diet, the U.S. has (for years now) adopted the deep-frying of fat-rich meats and starchy foods served in a quasi-Chinese style. China's youth, unfortunately, appears to be going for fast-food chains as the nation tries to move into a modern trade economy.

In the U.S., here are some sobering stats about children and adolescents:

~ Physical inactivity has contributed to the 100 percent increase in childhood obesity in the U.S. since 1980.

~ Of children aged 5 to 16 who are overweight, 61 percent have one or more cardiovascular disease risk factors, and almost 30 percent have two or more!

~ The health consequences of childhood obesity have given rise to (in the past 20 years) type 2 diabetes in adolescents.

~ Nearly 50 percent of American youths aged 12-21 years are not physically active on a regular basis; about 14 percent of young people report no recent physical activity.

What is the answer? Well, skim milk and low-fat food in the lunchrooms is not the answer. For us to help our children get fit, not fat, what seems to make most sense is for us to combine wisdom of the Orient with common sense:

1) Serve more fruits and veggies prepared in interesting ways (Mandarin style using chopsticks?)

2) Sometimes serve soy, rice and almond milk instead of dairy

3) Eliminate soda and super-sweetened juices

4) Cut down on deep-fried foods and salty/sugary snacks

5) Serve healthy meals at home

6) Contact the USDA School Lunch Program office and make your thoughts known:

United States Department of Agriculture
Food and Nutrition Service
Child Nutrition Division
3101 Park Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22302
e-mail: cndinternet@fns.usda.gov

If a foundation of healthy eating can be established with young people (from ages 2-19), tomorrow they'll be the ones demanding changes in lunchroom menus--and in the supermarkets.

But for now, let's fight for them!

In good health,

James J. Gormley

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