The Tooele County Health Department is working with the public as well as day care providers to discuss and educate about the obesity epidemic in our community and on a state level. Obesity, especially in children, is the moving force in our educational goals.
For more information, please contact Malaena, public health educator at (435) 277-2365 or mtoohey@tooelehealth.org
The Effects of Overweight or Obese Childhood predicts obesity and health problems later in life:
- 80% of children who were overweight at any time during the elementary period were overweight at 12 years of age
- Adult diseases now observed in overweight children
- Hardening of arteries
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Glucose intolerance
- Sleep-associated breathing disorders
- Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
- Social and psychological impact of childhood overweight
- Social isolation
- Increased rate of suicidal thoughts and attempts associated with weight-based teasing
- Low self-esteem due to poor body image
- Increased rate of anxiety disorders and depression in overweight children
- Increased likelihood to report difficulties in school
- Reduced self-assessed quality of life
- Increased likelihood of being bullied
