The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says obesity is a serious health concern for young children.  Results of the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) point out that in U.S. children (2-19), 17 percent of children were found to be obese.[1]  Recently, some studies have shown that there is a real link between obesity and asthma in children.[2] 

The incidence of asthma in the general  population in the U.S. increased significantly from 1986 to 2005[3], and obesity, also known to mechanically compromise proper function of the lungs and airways, is associated with asthma-related inflammation. Among pre-school age children 2-5 years of age, obesity also increased significantly from 5 to 10.4% between 1976-1980 and 2007-2008.[4]  Other conditions in children, such as high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and hyperinsulinemia, have also been observed on the increase and are associated with asthma in children.[5]  Dr. Deana Ferreri draws the conclusion that regardless of body weight, "the standard American diet is likely taking its toll on lung function"[6] in our children.

Certainly, there are things that parents can do to keep asthma in check when children have been diagnosed with asthma, such as keeping children's prescriptions current, choosing their activities wisely and making sure children do not become overexerted, and watching out for things which trigger asthma, like pet dander and other allergens. However, scientific research and studies like NHANES are also pointing the finger at young children's diet toward keeping it healthful to ward off conditions like asthma and obesity. 

We note in the news this week that San Francisco's Board of Supervisors are continuing to take action to ban fast food companies from placing toys in so-called "Happy Meals™" sold in fast food restaurants in San Francisco.  McDonald's and other fast-food chain restaurants are pushing back through the National Fast Food Restaurant Association's efforts.  But the point is the San Francisco Board of Supervisors is leading the charge to get fast food restaurants to reformulate their "happy" meals to exclude toys (which encourage children to request the typically high calorie-high fat meals) but to include more healthy foods that contain less grams of saturated fats.  Madelyn Furnstrom on MSNBC stated today with regard to children's meals containing saturated fats, that parents don't even know what's going on! 

ChildSafetyBlog.org concurs with CDC and wants to make sure that parents and caregivers of young children know eating healthfully as a young child paves the way for a child's healthy growth--and may help to stave off childhood obesity and other conditions, such as asthma.