VCU news

By Malorie Burkett

Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic with many potential long-term consequences, but it can be fought on a number of fronts, according to Daphne Bryan, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine at VCU and medical director at Hayes E. Willis Health Center in Richmond.

September is the first National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, an effort to bring national attention to an increasing problem among youth in the United States. The Children’s Hospital of Richmond, along with the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions, have partnered with the Childhood Obesity Awareness Month Coalition in an effort to promote activities and efforts associated with this month under the theme of “Healthier Kids, Brighter Futures.”

Bryan said the attention is warranted.

“Obesity is such a preventable problem that causes chronic diseases that can be disastrous in the lives of our children,” Bryan said. “We know that the earlier that people become obese the more problems they have in their life in the future, medically.

“I see our kids getting bigger and bigger and becoming less and less active. I see more and more fast food consumption and the calories are much greater in what you're eating even in small amounts of something from a fast-food restaurant. It's going to have more calories and fat than what you would normally or typically eat or prepare at home.”

Although Bryan says there are various contributing factors to this epidemic such as a decrease in physical activity among children over the years, increased use of electronic handheld devices and motorized toys, and high concentrations of fatty meals that families and children regularly consume, she indicates that there are also many ways that families can come together to help combat this problem.

For instance, parents setting a positive example and families working together to garner support through activities and organized programs, such as the Children’s Hospital of Richmond’s Teaching Encouragement Exercise Nutrition and Support, or T.E.E.N.S program, are effective ways for children to stay focused.

“If parents are drinking sodas and eating candy and cookies, kids are not going to be able to look at it and not have it, so we have to lead by example,” said Bryan. “One of the best factors, or most consistent things we’ve seen that has helped our children in our T.E.E.N.S. program was that when the parent is more involved or coming to the program and really actively involved in the process, those children are the ones who do best as far as their weight loss is concerned. Parents have to be a part of it. We have to lead by example and there’s a need to be family-focused in the treatment of obesity as well as prevention.”

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, obesity rates in the United States have soared in the past four decades among all age groups. This rise in obesity rates has affected youth in a particularly alarming fashion. Childhood obesity has increased more than fourfold among those ages 6 to 11. Over 23 million children and teenagers in the United States ages 2 to 19 are obese or overweight, a statistic that health and medical experts consider an epidemic.

About Daphne Bryan

Daphne  Bryan M.D., assistant professor in Department of Family Medicine and medical director at Hayes E. Willis Health Center in Richmond, specializes in pediatric and adult bariatric medicine.