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The Danger of Skepticism

Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2003;157:722-724.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

OBESITY-RELATED ILLNESSES are threatening the health of US children. It is now time to build a cohesive national policy that combats obesity in children and adolescents. In this article, we suggest principles for policy development based on barriers, precedents, knowledge available, and knowledge gaps.

Evidence repeatedly demonstrates the rising prevalence of obesity and obesity-related illnesses, with 30% of US children having a body mass index higher than the 85th percentile for their age.^1-5 Although comprehensive data are needed on the long-term effects of pediatric obesity on health, it is known that more than two thirds of obese children 10 years and older will become obese adults⁶ and that obesity in young adults causes on average 5 to 20 years of life lost.⁷ Obesity is also associated with a 36% increase in inpatient and outpatient spending and a 77% increase in medication use compared with expenditures for healthy-weight individuals.⁸ Some people . . . [Full Text of this Article]

BARRIERS


PRECEDENTS

KNOWLEDGE AVAILABLE AND KNOWLEDGE GAPS

RECOMMENDATIONS
Leona Cuttler, MD
Department of Pediatrics
Rainbow Babies and Childrens Hospital, Room 737
Case Western Reserve University
11100 Euclid Ave
Cleveland, OH 44106

June L. Whittaker, MPH; Eric D. Kodish, MD
Cleveland

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