Joanna Weiss’ article in today’s Boston Globe explores the issue of childhood obesity and the role of parental food myths in perpetuating the problem. Clearly, the statistics for childhood obesity are alarming. According to the CDC, 17 percent of U.S. children are obese. Obesity-related diseases and healthcare expenses are expected to soar as these children become adults. The cost of treating obesity-related diseases, including diabetes, heart disease and stroke, are projected to increase $66 billion annually by 2030 in the U.S. alone, accounting for a 2.6 percent hike in overall health spending.
