CHILDHOOD OBESITY
AND THE BOOMERANG EFFECT

Most Americans are accustomed to have gained a few pounds during the holiday season. Unfortunately, more and more of us that have sat down to our holiday meals are at an already unhealthy weight. More frightening than our own health statistics 7 in 10 adults are overweight are the repercussions of our poor lifestyle choices, which are now evident in the health statistics of our children, where 3 in 10 are overweight (10 million children!). Among some of the frightening issues that confront our children unless we successfully turn away this disorder are:

• One in 3 children will develop diabetes in their lifetime with attendant future health risks.[1]
• Age longevity threatens to reverse itself by the end of the century[2].
• For the first time in history, children have the potential to not outlive their parents[3].

We are in the midst of an epidemic, a public health crisis that demands a national public health priority and year-round attention. Through the holiday season and heading into the New Year is a great time to bring people's attention to a few simple lifestyle changes that can make a huge difference.

As we approach $120 billion annually to treat the adverse health results that from childhood obesity, parents, teachers, businesses, government officials and especially health professionals particularly physicians are stakeholders in this preventative health battle.

Physicians have the unique opportunity to apply their professional medical expertise in addition to their teaching and leadership skills to further the cause. They also have many patients that may act as advocates to help support their efforts.

Besides participating in this altruistic act, you might inquire are there any additional benefits for me? What is my return on my investment?

You will probably receive a lot of favorable public relations about you and your unselfish act.. Your community will then identify you as their go to physician, but better yet, you just might be able to say that you have done a good deed for the people in your town who graciously support your practice day in a day out.

We are positioned to lead the charge and ultimately make a difference in someone's life. I hope you are willing to give something back and in turn there is a chance good things will come back to you.

Sincerely,

Paul Ehrmann, D.O.
Family Practice
Royal Oak, Michigan
www.docpaul.com

WORD COUNT

2746 WITH SPACES

[1] Institute of Medicine-Book-Childhood Obesity 2005

[2] Olshansky et al, “The Potential Decline in Life Expectancy in the 21^st Century, NEJM, 352 : 11, March 17, 2005

[3] Richard Carmona, M.D.-United States Surgeon General-2004