Is there a connection between culture and obesity?

The concern about obesity among children is a major one. It is an issue that a number of Great Start Collaboratives and Parent Coalitions identify as a priority to address in their communities. Data also tells us that children from communities of color experience a higher prevalence of obesity.

Have you ever wondered if culture and obesity are linked? Do parents from different cultures have perceptions about the level of physical activity of their children that impacts and leads to obesity in children?

 Childhood obesity and watching a lot of television correlate with each other according to a number of researchers. Many of our children in the United States watch a great deal of television and while watching TV, many of our kids are at the same time eating snacks that are often high in calorie/high-fat. In addition, most children’s programs have advertisements for fast food restaurants which also encourages unhealthy eating.

I find it very disturbing that the wealthiest country on earth continues to balance the budget on the backs of families and children.  No child should have to grow up in a home filled with poverty, hunger or to be neglected or abused.

There has been a lot of 'noise' about repealing the Affordable Care Act during the lead up to the last election as well as in the last few weeks.  Today, Wednesday 12^th 2011, was supposed to be the day when the House of Representatives in Washington would vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act.  Instead, the focus of the nation has been on the tragedy and senseless slayings of six people including a child of just 9 years of age and 14 wounded in Tucson and the vote to repeal the new health law has been postponed for a later date.

The U.S. has the highest rate of preventable deaths among 19 industrialized nations.1  However, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most chronic diseases could be prevented through lifestyle and environmental changes. 

Thanksgiving is tomorrow.  What’s one of the first things that come to mind when you think of the holidays?  If you’re like me, you’ll most likely to think of food - glorious food!  Thanksgiving is usually associated with an abundance of delicious meals with family and friends.  Have you ever eaten so much that you’ve felt too full to be comfortable?  I most certainly have.

I am currently in Denver, Colorado for the Build National Conference about Healthy Mental Development in Young Children.  We started the day with breakfast at 7:30am and the sessions have been really interesting and I have learnt a lot.  Our keynote speaker this morning was Dr Ross Thompson, Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Davis and he gave an overview of the neuroscience and child development literature on mental health development in young children and its critical role in long-term emotional, cognitive, and social development.  One of the graphs Dr

Do you remember a couple of years ago when Deamonte Driver, a poor and homeless child - died in Maryland after an infection in his teeth spread to his brain?  The fact that a young boy could pass away because his family could not find a dentist to remove an infected tooth in America is just unacceptable.

Can you imagine - travelling overseas to a country where English is hardly spoken.  Your child becomes really ill and you must access healthcare services in that foreign country.  You pick up the phone and call the operator  but he cannot understand what you are saying in order to assist you or direct your call and vice versa.  You decide to go by taxi to the nearest health clinic or hospital.  Luckily for you, the first taxi you wave down is driven by someone who speaks a little English and understands where you would like to go.  However, when you arrive at t

Election Day is just a few days away on November 2nd.  As citizens, advocates and parents, we should ask ourselves as we gather facts to assist us in making an informed decision about which candidate to vote for:  What is most important to me and what shapes how I view the world?  Chances are if you have children that cadidates proposals and the effect they may have on your children will be on the top of your list.  Thus, next Tuesday when you vote, you should represent those who are most precious to you - your children and vote according to the candidate(s) that will ac