Top Story: Is Childhood Obesity a National Public Health Emergency?

Many teens and children across the United States are criticized and insulted for their weight. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Obesity affects about 14.7 million children and teens—which is nearly 20% of that age population. While rates of obesity have slowed, childhood obesity is still a major public health concern.

Eric Bomberg, MD, an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota Medical School, says declaring childhood obesity as a public health emergency has not been suggested before. Now, he is urging experts to look closely at the pros and cons of that idea. “I think it should be considered, but I think it needs further study,” he said. Bomberg notes that it is important that we know what we can do about it beforehand and think through it thoroughly before doing so, to provide the necessary resources.

You can read more from Dr. Bomberg’s interview with WebMD here.