Expert: Childhood obesity a problem

Those experts - right on top of it, eh?

Childhood obesity rates have tripled over the past 30 years, according to a presentation Wednesday.

Elaine Taylor, a pediatric nurse practitioner and associate professor of nursing at North Georgia College & State University, said studies show that about 6.5 percent of children ages 6 to 11 were considered obese in 1980. In 2008, that percentage had increased to nearly 20 percent.

Taylor’s presentation was the final installment of the North Georgia Community Connections lecture series, which has been held over the past few weeks at Hampton Park library.

Taylor went on to say that some 80 percent of children who are overweight or obese go on to become overweight adults.

She said the problem has lead to many children developing health issues that historically have been found only in older adults.

Taylor said overweight children are at much higher risks of developing problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, muscle and skeletal disorders, and Type II diabetes.

No wonder they are experts.