Parental Perception of Childhood Obesity and the School\u27s Role on Prevention and Interventions in Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is a major health crisis that is becoming an epidemic among children and adolescents. Interventions must begin early and focus on prevention strategies to achieve the goal of increasing quality years of life for today\u27s children and families. Parents with children in a local after school Boys & Girls club were surveyed regarding their perception of childhood obesity, the causes of childhood obesity, and the school\u27s role in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity. More than 90% of the participants identified inactivity, poor eating behavior, eating too much, and lack of money to buy nutritious foods as the main causes of childhood obesity. Participants agreed that physical education classes and elimination of junk food machines in schools is a strategy towards the school\u27s role in prevention and treatment of childhood obesity. All participants agreed that normal weight is important to the health of children in the study