September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

12.5 million US children are obese, but we can make changes to ensure our children live active, healthy lives. Childhood obesity is a major public health problem. In the US, 17% of children are obese, and certain groups of children are even more severely affected by this problem. Nearly 27% of Mexican-American boys are obese, and nearly 30% of non-Hispanic black girls are obese.

There is no single or simple solution to childhood obesity. It is influenced by many different factors, including a lack of access to healthy food and drinks as well as limited opportunities for physical activity in the places where children live, play and learn. Working together, states, communities, and parents can help make the healthy choice the easy choice for children and adolescents.

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month (NCOAM), and you can also pledge to spread the word:

• Become a fan of CDC's Facebook page.

• Share our posts throughout the month with your fans and friends.

• Follow CDC on Twitter and tweet and re-tweet information and links.

• Tag your tweets #NCOAM to join the conversation.

Learn more about what CDC's state-based programs are doing for NCOAM:
http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/index.html?s_cid=govD_dnpao_112&source=govdelivery

http://www.choosemyplate.gov/?source=govdelivery

http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/?s_cid=govD_dnpao_115&source=govdelivery