Tennessee named one of the worst states in the nation for childhood obesity

JACKSON, TN (WNBJ)-

There's a "side effect" of the covid-19 pandemic that affecting children all across the country... Including here in Tennessee. That side effect is "childhood obesity" and 39 news alexander bitterling reports a new study says it's a problem that's getting worse. Health professionals are now trying to educate Americans on the dangers of this growing problem.”

“Childhood obesity overall is a pandemic,” says Shenika Bond a public health educator for the Jackson-Madison county health department.

Bond goes on to say, “The increase of screen time so a lot of people are staying indoors, socioeconomic status, so a lot of children may have parents that have lost their jobs so those unhealthy foods typically are cheaper than the healthy foods.”

A new study called the National Survey of Children's Health found. That one in six 10 to 17-year-olds are obese.

Tennessee is one of the worst states when it comes to childhood obesity, over twenty percent or 1 in 5 children are considered obese.

Childhood obesity can lead to many other health problems according to Jamie Bussell of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, “This puts kids at greater risk for illnesses like type two diabetes, heart disease, some types of cancers.”

Shenike bond says there are some things parents can do to fight the problem, “First increasing physical activity, encouraging your children to get outside, run around, play. Involving your children as far as shopping for healthy foods, helping prepare meals. That gets kids active and introduced to a wide variety of different foods. That nutrition education you know starting early on.