Startling Statistics

Startling Statistics

Between the years 1976 and 2002 the prevalence of overweight among children doubled from 7% to 16%!!

Between the years 1976 and 2002 the prevalence of overweight among teenages tripled from 5% to 16%!!

38% of high school students watch an average of three hours of TV each day

Children of Latino or African-American descent born in 2000 have a 50% chance of developing diabetes at some point in their life.

Two-thirds of premature deaths in the United States  are due to poor nutrition, physical inactivity and tobacco use.

Healthier diets could save 71 billion dollars per year in medical costs, lost productivity and lost lives

If all Americans began exercising, we would save 77 billion in annual medical costs

The average American watches about 4 hours of TV each day

There is only a 1 in 12 chance that an American parent requires a child to do homework before watching TV

One study documented 202 ads for high-sugar cereals, chips and other non-nutrititous foods during four hours of Saturday morning cartoons

Collectively, the state of California has gained 360 million pounds over the past decade

Many parents don't know that their children are at risk for type 2 diabetes, which emerged in children only recently and now accounts for almost 50% of new cases in some communities.

Only 2% of children eat a diet that is consistent with federal nutrition recommendations

In 1996, children ages 2-18 ate an average of 118 more calories than similar children in 1978.