Child obesity has become a problem in the United States according to medical officials.
To address the issue of childhood obesity and ways to remedy the problem, 100 physicians, pediatricians and nutritionists will meet today at MSU.
The North American Society for Pediatric Exercise Medicine will hold a conference August 1-3 at the Kellogg Center, but it may not have the same high numbers of attendance.
“This meeting is a lot less formal than other large conferences,” said Jim Pivarnik, president-elect of the North American Society for Pediatric Exercise Medicine. “That’s the beauty of this meeting.”
Pivarnik also is a kinesiology professor at MSU.
International specialists from at least six other countries also will attend this meeting, Pivarnik said.
The seminar will consist of speakers, slide shows and presentations for physicians to learn techniques to help combat childhood obesity.
But Pivarnik said the international turnout might be smaller this year than last year, when the conference was held in Aspen, Colo.
“Aspen’s a little sexier than East Lansing,” he said, laughing. “I don’t think our European contingent is going to be as great this year because of that.”
Check in for the conference will begin at about 5 p.m. The first event, a keynote address about healthy amounts of exercise, will begin promptly at 7 p.m.
The cost of the conference is $150, which includes meals and the price but not lodging at the Kellogg Center.
There is a problem with childhood obesity in the United States, said Mary Noel, associate chairperson of Department of Family Practice and a nutritionist.
“We know that childhood obesity is going up like all obesity in our society,” she said. “It’s a very difficult subject to watch.”
Noel said she has seen studies that point to the lack of physical activity in childhood as the result of childhood obesity, and not solely the child’s diet.
“Dieting has certainly never worked in children,” she said. “Most of the studies that have looked at the areas of weight and children have been linked with the amount of TV that is watched.”
There are proven successful ways to help a child become more active, said Steve Shinn, owner of Shinn’s Tae kwon do, 2189 West Grand River Ave. in Okemos.
Shinn said 200 children are currently enrolled in his academy, and the martial arts, like other sports, can help aid in the overall health of children.
“It’s a very fun exercise,” he said.
“Some sports are intimidating to children, but martial arts is for all skills and coordination levels.”
Martial arts also is a year-round sport, Shinn said, so child who take part will have an exercise regimen that lasts all year instead of in particular season.
He also said tae kwon do is a sport for any age, so a parent who is concerned about his or her child’s weight can do it with them.
“It’s something children can do and parents can do with them,” he said.
Noel said she agrees that parents need to help their children instead of yelling at them for how much they eat or how much TV they watch, and physical activity and nutrition work hand-in-hand.
“It’s a balance, and we’re out of balance,” she said.
“But beating people up about what they eat isn’t going to do anything.”
