Storm Watch and Preparation Plans; Nearly 1 in 5 Children and Teens Are Obese

With all eyes on Tropical Storm Erika and other storm forecasts, here’s a timely reminder from national weather experts: The peak of hurricane season takes place August through October, based on historical storm data.

Largest Storms in the U.S.

“All 10 of the costliest hurricanes on record in the U.S. have occurred from August through October,” Weather.com reports.

Here’s a partial list:
• Sandy – October 2012
• Irene – August 2011
• Andrew – August 1992
• Ike – September 2008
• Katrina – August 2005

The uncertainty around Erika provides an opportunity to review and update your storm plans, according to the Miami bureau of the National Weather Service.

Resources, Links and Related Articles

Here is a short rundown of helpful links and information:

Federal Weather Links
• National Hurricane Center
• National Weather Service-Miami office
• www.ready.gov/hurricanes

County Emergency Management Contacts:
• Miami-Dade
• Broward
• Monroe

Related Links

• Watch Now: Hurricane Preparation Safety Tips
•  Weathering The Storms
• 8 Tips to Weather the Storms

–Sharon Harvey Rosenberg

Nearly 1 in 5 Children and Teens Are Obese

The 30 percent obesity rate among U.S. adults has been widely reported, and a new study shows the number of obese children and teens isn’t far behind.

According to a report released this week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 17.5 percent of children and adolescents between the ages of 3 and 19 are now obese. That number is 30 percent higher than the rate of 5.6 percent in the late 1970s.

However, the research found the prevalence of childhood obesity in the last 10 years has remained relatively flat, increasing only 0.9 percent since the last study conducted between 2001 and 2004.

The CDC report also compared the obesity rate of U.S. children and adolescents to those in Canada, finding the Canadian group less obese overall. According to the study, 13 percent of Canadian children and adolescents are obese. The prevalence of Non-Hispanic white girls in Canada between ages 3-19 was found to be lower than those in the U.S. (10.2 percent compare to 14.2 percent), but there was no considerable difference between boys in the two countries.

Children who are obese are more likely to be obese as adults, develop medical conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, as well as have social and emotional problems.

Experts say one of the main factors contributing to childhood obesity is high levels of sugar in their diets. Consuming sugary juices, sodas and snacks as a child often becomes a habit that carries through to adulthood.

Dietitians and family physicians agree that parents should be more mindful of the sugar content in their kids’ diet and encourage healthy amounts of physical activity each day.

Related articles:

• Reality Check: Kids’ Fruit Juices
• More Americans are Obese or Overweight Than Ever, Study Finds
• Kids and Fitness: A Growing Concern

–Tanya Racoobian Walton