NPR: Living in the 'Burbs Taking a Toll on Kids' Health?

Living in the 'Burbs Taking a Toll on Kids' Health?

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Is childhood obesity becoming a bigger problem than teen smoking, alcohol and drug abuse or reckless driving? That's the surprising finding of a survey referenced in a Washington Post article about the rising numbers of overweight suburban kids.

On the face of it, children in the suburbs have every advantage. They live in communities with well-funded parks systems and sports leagues and are more likely to come from affluent and better-educated families than their urban counterparts.

Yet suburbia's kids keep getting fatter, too.

Experts say the reasons are varied. Overworked parents don't cook healthy meals regularly. They let their children spend too many hours watching TV or being strapped in car seats. Crowded youth leagues might fight over field times, but many kids are left alone after school with nothing to do.

Is this an issue you face in your home? How do you manage to instill the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle?

Geoffrey Bennett

12:26 PM ET | 05-20-2008 | permalink

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